Outline of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Christchurch, NZ. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for stress, anxiety, depression, and eating disorders.

1. What is Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) / Cognitive Therapy?

CBT is a time-limited, focused, problem-solving orientated therapy. CBT is collaborative in that the client and therapist will work together to help the client to solve their problems and change problematic thoughts and behaviours. CBT is generally concerned with the present rather than on the past. Clients who participate in CBT learn important psychological skills which help prevent their problems from recurring in the future.

There have been hundreds of scientific studies of CBT, and it’s is widely regarded as an effective psychological treatment for depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. There has been more research on CBT than any other psychological treatment.

2. What happens in a typical session of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy?

CBT sessions are quite structured so clients know what to expect when they come to treatment. Once the session starts, the therapist and client do a brief check-in about what has happened for the client in the time since the therapist and client last saw each other. During the check-in the client and therapist review what the client found most and least helpful about the previous session and ascertain if there are any issues from the previous session that need to be followed up on. Since CBT involves clients doing self-help tasks between appointments, the therapist and the client also talk about the self-help task the client has done at home.

Next, the therapist and client set an agenda for the main part of the session. Clients can put items on the agenda to be dealt with during the session. Usually each session is focused on dealing with one main issue so that enough time can be devoted to that issue. The main part of the session is spent working on solving the client’s problems. This can involve working on thoughts, emotions, or behaviour.

Towards the end of the session, the therapist and client make a plan together for the client to do a self-help task at home. These self-help tasks are aimed at the client putting into practice what they’ve worked on during the session.

One of the hallmarks of CBT is that it’s expected that a lot of the work and progress that occurs happens outside of appointments. Research has shown that people who do self help “homework” assignments in between appointments tend to have better outcomes from their treatment.

The therapist and client decide together what would be the most helpful self help task for the client to do, and how to make it manageable.

Lastly, the therapist and client review the session. This is an opportunity for the client to ask any remaining questions they have, bring up anything that’s bothered them about the session, or clarify anything they think the therapist has misunderstood. Clients are encouraged to ask questions and clarify issues during the session, as well as during the end of session review.

3. First appointments

The first time I see a client is for an initial 1 hour 45 min appointment (subsequent appointments are for 50 minutes).

The purpose of the first appointment is to get a comprehensive picture of:

(a) the difficulties you are having, (b) who you are as a person, and (c) what you most want help with.

4. How long does treatment take?

The decision about how many treatment sessions clients will have is usually made jointly by the therapist and the client.

For less severe problems, clients may need as little as 6-8 sessions.

Standard Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is usually 10-20 sessions for moderate to severe problems.

If a client can only afford a certain number of sessions, treatment can be planned around this constraint but I need clients to tell me this before we start working together so I can think about the best approach for their particular circumstances and difficulties.

Sessions usually start out being weekly and then become less frequent when clients have experienced significant improvements in their difficulties.

It’s recommended that clients have booster sessions 3, 6, and 12 months after they finish treatment.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Christchurch CBT – Book an appointment.

To book an appointment for Christchurch Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, you can either email me your phone number or leave me a voicemail, and I will call you back for a pre-consult chat and to book an appointment.

Email: admin@aliceboyes.com
Phone: Christchurch NZ 669 2007 or (03) 669 2007 outside Christchurch.