Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
What Is CBT?
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based treatment that helps identify and change unhelpful patterns in thinking and behaviour. It is one of the most widely researched forms of psychological therapy. It is also sometimes referred to as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
CBT is a structured therapy that focuses on the links between thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. It uses practical strategies to shift unhelpful cognitive and behavioural patterns.
How CBT Works
‘Cognitive’ techniques in CBT aim to identify, challenge, and replace unhelpful thinking with more constructive perspectives. These are most effective for low-distress, specific problems. ‘Behavioural’ techniques—such as exposure therapy and reality testing—are widely used across multiple therapeutic frameworks and help clients test assumptions and build resilience through action.
What to Expect
In CBT, you may act as both a detective and scientist—examining thought-feeling-behaviour cycles, then experimenting with new responses in real-world settings. While CBT has strong research support, it is best suited to mild or moderate concerns and may not be ideal for every individual or condition.
Beyond CBT: Other Evidence-Based Therapies
- To explore how mindfulness enhances present-moment awareness and supports emotional regulation—key elements across therapies including CBT—see Mindfulness.
- To explore a modern evolution of CBT that incorporates mindfulness and focuses on changing our relationship to thoughts and feelings—not the thoughts themselves—read about Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
- To see how behavioural techniques like Exposure Therapy can also help break patterns of avoidance and reduce anxiety, see Overcoming Your Fears with Exposure Therapy.
- To understand how EMDR Therapy helps process traumatic memories through bilateral stimulation rather than talk-based methods, see Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy.
- To learn about Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR)—a neurophysiologically grounded trauma therapy targeting pre-affective brainstem responses—see DBR Therapy.
