Many different types of counselling and psychotherapy exist, each intending to help people deal with negative feelings and thoughts, and make positive changes in their lives.
Currently the most widely available and best known approaches are:
Numerous other talking therapies tend to fall within these three general schools; group therapy, interpersonal therapy, existential therapy, narrative therapy, solution-focused therapy, human givens, ACT, and so on. Particular problems - eg. difficulties in relationships, depression, anxiety, etc. - are regarded as having different causes and different treatments according whether you look at them from a cognitive, psychodynamic or humanistic perspective.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy that has become popular and is being offered more widely across the UK through the NHS IAPT programme. It adopts a structured, rational approach to problem-solving, helping people perceive and respond to stressful situations more constructively.
CBT is a talking therapy that starts from the idea that the way a person thinks about a situation affects the way that they act. In turn, a person's actions influence the way they think and feel. To stop the vicious cycle that can be set off by a 'negative automatic thought', it is necessary to change both thinking and behaviour, which will affect emotions. CBT assumes that the negative emotions we experience can often be traced back to familiar patterns of negative thoughts and behaviour that have become so ingrained we scarcely notice them. CBT aims to help you become more aware of fleeting negative thoughts in response to certain situations, which may trigger cycles of low mood or anxiety. By discovering and dismantling the patterns of thinking and behaviour that keep us locked in our problems, CBT aims to help people live happier and more rational llives.
CBT was developed from two earlier types of psychotherapy:
The NHS has recently introduced the IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) programme, using CBT to treat common conditions such as depression and anxiety. This may seem a positive step, however, 1) before you are referred to a live therapist you will usually have to try a course of bibliotherapy (reading a self-help book!), computer therapy (self-help modules online) or low intensity group therapy. and 2) although other therapies - interpersonal therapy, dynamic interpersonal therapy, supportive counselling - are also recommended by NICE for treating various conditions, at present IAPT services only offer CBT which does not suit everyone.
CBT is usually short-term, for example, between six and sixteen one-hour sessions, and may adopt a faster pace and more structured approach than many clients feel comfortable with.
CBT is used to treat a wide range of problems such as:
CBT may also be helpful for stress related physical conditions such as IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), some forms of infertility and weight management.