Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)

 

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (also known as CBT), is a psychological treatment used to help with a variety of different presenting concerns.

 

CBT works on the premise that an individual's thoughts and beliefs play a major role in influencing their mood and behaviour. CBT works by first enabling individuals to learn how to identify the particular thoughts and beliefs that may be contributing to their distress. Following this, CBT teaches the skill of challenging these problematic thoughts with the aim of empowering the individual to have mastery over their thought processes, and in turn, learn to successfully manage their mood and behaviour. 

 

A second premise of CBT is that when individuals are in distress, they may often engage in behaviours that increase their vulnerability to ongoing mood and behavioural problems, and behaviours that in fact, exacerbate their current distress levels. This process is often recognised a destructive, vicious cycle that can be hard to break. CBT helps to work out if these types of behaviours are occurring, and helps to problem solve how to reduce or eliminate them, in order to support an individual’s emotional, physical, social and behavioural wellbeing.

 

Can CBT be used with Children and Adolescents?

 

Absolutely! CBT has been shown to a very effective technique in the treatment of a huge variety of childhood issues such as anxiety, depression, social difficulties, eating issues and even defiant behaviour problems. Using child-friendly explanations and activities, Crystal is able to help children and adolescents (and their parents too), work out what thoughts and actions may be causing problems in their life, and ways to help turn things around. Crystal often combines CBT with play therapy to help children learn the valuable ideas of CBT, in a fun, enjoyable environment.