The O P A L Foundation
Supporting YOU on your Journey of Self Discovery
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The O P A L Foundation
Supporting YOU on your Journey of Self Discovery
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| Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
What is CBT:
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a short-term
psychological treatment which is particularly suitable for specific, focused
problems ranging from phobias and panic attacks to eating disorders and
depression.
CBT is based on the belief that most unhealthy modes of thinking and behaving
have been learned over a long period of time. Using a set of structured
techniques, a CBT therapist aims to identify thinking that causes problematic
feelings and behaviour. The client then learns to change this thinking which, in
turn, leads to more appropriate and positive responses.
For example, negative thoughts usually lead to upsetting or angry feelings which
then affect our mood and our behaviour. If a person is unable to counter such
thoughts with a more positive stance, a negative spiral ensues and perceptions
of a situation can become distorted. CBT encourages the person to challenge
their beliefs about themselves and their abilities so that they achieve a more
realistic view of the situation.
Aim of CBT:
CBT aims to help people challenge their negative beliefs. Once they are thinking
more realistically, they are encouraged to imagine how they would go about
confronting a feared situation. They are helped to expose themselves gradually
to real-life scenarios.
This work takes place within the context of a collaborative therapist/client
relationship in which people decide jointly on the goals to work towards and
plan assignments and session topics together. The aim of CBT is to provide the
client, within a limited timescale, with the insight and skills to improve their
quality of life. The client should continue to cope and to progress once therapy
is finished.
The aim of treatment is for the client and therapist to work in partnership to
identify patterns of thought and behaviour which are causing problems, and to
plan a structured way forward with agreed practical objectives.
The success of CBT depends on the active participation of the client in the
whole process, so there is an initial interview which enables the client to
decide whether they want to go ahead with the therapy. It also enables the
therapist to judge the client's commitment, and decide whether this sort of
therapy is suitable.
Cost and Duration of Sessions:
CBT is a short-term treatment which
usually takes 8 –
12 (sometimes longer) individual sessions. The number of sessions will depend on
the type of problem and on the commitment of the client. Each session
is one hour in duration and costs €50 (€30 for
those on a limited income).
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