Despite being the most popular and evidence-based forms of therapy out there, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is still roundly misunderstood, or not known whatsoever. As an experienced CBT therapist in Swindon and online, I have seen how people approach sessions feeling uncertain about CBT, often coming to me with a number of questions. The phrase ‘cognitive behavioural therapy’ can put people off, due to the way it sounds potentially overly scientific.
And so, if you are struggling with any kind of mental health issue, from anxiety to addiction to low self-esteem, but have so far been reluctant to embrace CBT, this blog post walks you through three of the most common misconceptions around this type of therapy.
CBT 'Cures' Mental Health Issues
Given the popularity of CBT, it is sometimes assumed that this particular form of therapy acts as a catch-all solution - the key to solving your problems. But this is of course not true. Therapy, I'm afraid to say, is not a panacea. Problems like anxiety and depression are more complex than that. Instead of 'curing' people, CBT is about helping individuals to more effectively manage difficult feelings when they come up. Our work involves developing personalised practical tools that can be used to avoid entering the same unhealthy thought patterns that underpin and reinforce issues like anxiety, low self-esteem, addiction, and many others.
CBT is Too ‘One Size Fits All’ for Me
A common criticism levelled at CBT is that it is too strict - that it fails to provide the flexibility needed to account for how unique we are as human beings. And while CBT does indeed use established techniques for managing issues, it is not rigid whatsoever. As someone who has delivered CBT in Swindon for some time, I know the importance of adapting my service to suit the personality and needs of each client. Someone with an addiction, for example, will need an approach that differs from someone managing panic attacks, and I am always mindful of this.
CBT Doesn't Address Emotions
CBT is often thought of as 'emotionless', but this couldn't be further from the truth. Emotions play a fundamental role in CBT. We look at the connection between thoughts and emotions, and indeed the link between behaviour and emotions. Our work revolves around improving emotional states, so it's ridiculous to think that emotions don't play a role in CBT.
Changing the way we think about our thoughts, as is the goal of CBT, means changing the way we feel, which consequently changes our behaviour. This is CBT in a nutshell: working with you to stop being prisoner to the same unhelpful emotions.
If you are still unsure about how CBT works and want to talk some more about it, I am happy to chat to you over the phone at any time. Feel free to give me a call to ask any questions or arrange your first session of CBT therapy in Swindon or online.