Treatment programs
disorders treated
Cognitive Behavioural
quick Facts
This well established treatment approach is based on the link between negative or irrational patterns of thinking and the feelings of anxiety, stress depression and difficulties in coping. Learning skills to become aware of these thought patterns and how to dispute them is a basis of this therapy.
This therapy model has an excellent reputation worldwide and our own research on treatment outcomes confirms it's effectiveness in the treatment of psychological problems.
what does 'cognitive' Mean?
Cognition is a broad term which, refers to the way a person interprets situations, as well as thoughts, images and attitudes. Basically, the way a person thinks about or interprets an event affects their mood and their behaviour. A person can altar the way he or she feels and behaves by altering the way they interpret the situation. This does not mean thinking positively. Instead, it refers to the person closely examining his interpretation, to see if it is based in reality or is a self-defeating way of looking at life.
Along with this, the person learns how to expose their belief systems and old unconscious rules that they live by and that govern the way they think and behave. Some of these beliefs and rules may no longer be appropriate and are in need of change for the health and wellbeing of the person. CBT shows you how to do this.
As an example, a very stressed and anxious person walking down the corridor at work sees one of his managers who passes without smiling. He immediately thinks he must have done something wrong or perhaps he isn't working hard enough. This reinforces his belief that he is not good at his job and that he must work harder, which causes him to become even more stressed and anxious, which in turn reduces his ability to perform well. There is no evidence for this belief - there are many different interpretations. For instance, the manager may be pre-occupied, worrying about a meeting with their own boss, or thinking about a problem at home.
During therapy, much focus is placed upon learning to challenge such negative, irrational and self-defeating thoughts. Participants are urged to complete homework tasks, which get them to catch themselves jumping automatically to such irrational interpretations and to use new challenging techniques to arrive at more healthy and adaptive ways of thinking.
what is the 'behavioural' Component?
For many problems, the most powerful way of changing beliefs and interpretations is to 'act' against them, and to action new beliefs. The emphasis is therefore on helping participants to change the way they think and behave by behaving in ways that support the new belief..
Behavioural strategies are also important to help people suffering depression. These people often begin to withdraw from activities that once were sources of pleasure as they often become lethargic and exhausted. By encouraging the person to slowly recommence pleasurable and self-nurturing activities, slowly their mood begins to improve.
Participants are given behavioural tasks to complete which encourage this phase of the change process. These tasks are carefully designed to encourage the person to stretch themselves slightly beyond their comfort-zone, but not too hard so that they end up feeling they have failed. Such tasks are developed in collaboration between the therapists and the person concerned. Participants are never forced to undertake anything that seems too difficult.