What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)?

CBT for depression. Accepted widely by the medical professional and recommended by the N.I.C.E. guidelines, CBT Cognitive Behaviour Therapy provides new ways of thinking and feeling within a short period of time; this therapy usually takes between 7 - 9 sessions. This is opposed to, often frequently long therapies. Some therapies can go on for many months and even years which, paradoxically holds that person back from going forward. The longer term therapy continues, constantly reminds the client, that their problem is something drastic, maybe not yet identified. The client becomes more reliant on the therapist, with potentially little happening in respect to coping or feeling better.

People suffering depression tend to think or ruminate about the same old problem over and over again. Thinking of things in the past that hurt them, or feel guilty about, things they have not accomplished, and that they are useless and hopeless. They say "Things will never get better", "I will never be able to have a good relationship, job", "I'm no good at anything" or "It's my fault things went wrong". These unrealistic self-critical evaluations develop pessimistic ideas, that create low self-esteem and a sense of hopelessness and helplessness.

Providing cognitive, behavioural CBT, and interpersonal approaches within hypnosis, allows that person to think and feel differently and produces sophisticated ways of overcoming problems. Solutions to problem solving are imperative and significantly reduces a relapse. These coping skills and mechanisms are resources within all of us, which are identified and brought out, to be utilised for the future. Clinical hypnosis creates the effectiveness of psychotherapy, which enables unique specific and positive changes to take place in the depressed individual.

All humans have the ability to change the way they are able to deal with emotional issues, by focusing on the way their thoughts, images, beliefs and attitudes they use. If they hold maladaptive or dysfunctional thought processes, from perhaps negative learned responses, this often initiates mental health problems such as depression, which frequently generate co-morbid mental health attributes, such as anxiety, sleep disturbance, or sleep deprivation.

During the cognitive behavioural sessions, a plan of action by the therapist is essential. Providing homework for the client is particularly important, as the client is encouraged to participate in their own therapy regime. Their dysfunctional way of thinking is often habitual 24 hours a day, therefore it is essential they record and even change these thinking patterns during this time. This therapeutic structure is valuable, so the client recognizes there is valuable support and a plan of action in progress. This in turn leads to a successful outcome.

Feedback at the beginning of each session is vital, such as what has worked and what has not. The emphasis is on collaborating together and to experiment and explore different ways for the individual client to overcome their difficulties.

As the defined maladaptive cognition's are explored and identified by the therapist, then a flexible approach can be incorporated during the session within hypnosis. I call this internal focused CBT, which leads to a quicker recovery rate.

How does it work?

CBT can help you to make sense of overwhelming problems by breaking them down into smaller parts. This makes it easier to see how they are connected and how they affect you. These parts are:

• A Situation - a problem, event or difficult situation
• From this can follow:
• Thoughts
• Emotions
• Physical feelings
• Actions

Each of these areas can affect the others. How you think about a problem can affect how you feel physically and emotionally. It can also alter what you do about it. There are helpful and unhelpful ways of reacting to most situations, depending on how you think about them. Our aim is to help you break free of old and unhelpful habits and problems.

How effective is CBT in the West Midlands

• It is one of the most effective treatments for conditions where anxiety or depression is the main problem
• It is the most effective psychological treatment for moderate and severe depression
• It is as effective as antidepressants for many types of depression

CBT is used for many conditions, so it isn't possible to list them all in this information. We will look at alternatives to the most common problems - anxiety and depression. The NHS NICE guidelines (National Institute for Health & Clinical Excellence) state CBT is the preferred solution.

• CBT isn't for everyone and another type of talking treatment like hypnotherapy in the West Midlands can help
• CBT is as effective as antidepressants for many forms of depression. It may be slightly more effective than antidepressants in treating anxiety.
• For severe depression, CBT should be used with antidepressant medication. When you are very low you may find it hard to change the way you think until antidepressants have started to make you feel better.

Contact Details for CBT in the West Midlands

To book sessions or find out more about CBT in Birmingham please call or e-mail to discuss how we can help you. CBT is a solution focused therapy and enables rapid change compared to the more reflective therapies for example counselling and psychotherapy.

CBT in Worcestershire is easily accessible from South Birmingham, Bromsgrove, Redditch, Warwickshire and surrounding areas. Contact us now on 0121 251 6172. We are based in Kings Norton, Birmingham