CBT Therapy in North Lanarkshire

What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)?

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or CBT, is a family of talking therapies, all based on the idea that thoughts, feelings, what we do, and how our bodies feel, are all connected. If we change one of these we can alter all the others.

When we’re low or upset, we often fall into patterns of thinking and responding which can worsen how we feel. CBT works to help us notice and change problematic thinking styles or behaviour patterns so we can feel better. 

CBT is a collaborative therapy – it’s not something that is done to someone, it’s a way of working together with a CBT therapist on mutually agreed goals.

What can CBT help with?

CBT works for lots of different people and problems, and is widely recommended by national treatment guidelines across the UK, EU and North America. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) provides independent, evidence-based guidance for the NHS on the most effective, proven treatments. CBT is recommended in NICE guidelines for many different problems, including:

  • anxiety disorders (including panic attacks)
  • depression
  • obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
  • post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • bipolar disorder
  • eating disorders
  • tinnitus
  • insomnia

There is also good evidence that CBT is helpful in helping people cope with the symptoms of many other conditions.

CBT approaches can be used with children as well as adults and older adults. 

A course of CBT can be completed alone or at the same time as taking medication prescribed by a GP or other doctor. This will depend on the difficulty CBT is helping with and on personal choice.

Does CBT Work?

Numerous research studies suggest that CBT leads to significant improvement in functioning and quality of life. In many studies, CBT has been demonstrated to be as effective as, or more effective than other forms of psychological therapy or psychiatric medications.

It is important to emphasise that advances in CBT have been made on the basis of both research and clinical practice. Indeed, CBT is an approach for which there is ample scientific evidence that the methods that have been developed actually produce change. In this manner, CBT differs from many other forms of psychological treatment.