What is CBT?
The key idea behind CBT is that what you think and do, affects the way you feel. The way we perceive situations is more closely connected to our reaction(s), than the situation itself.
Sometimes, through no fault of our own, we get stuck in unhelpful cycles and the things we do to solve a problem, can unknowingly keep it going. CBT is about finding what is keeping us ‘stuck’ and making changes in our thinking and actions in order to improve the way we feel.
Situation
Something happens
Thought
The situation is interpreted
Emotions
A feeling occurs as a result of the thought
Behaviour
An action in response to the emotion
CBT Benefits
This toolkit can support you to identify what’s important to you and how to overcome obstacles that can get in your way.
CBT encourages you to implement new and helpful patterns of thinking that can reduce distress and increase your day-to-day functioning
CBT can allow you to take control of your problems and manage your life in a health and adaptive way
Unlike some other forms of psychotherapy, CBT focuses on the present, and endeavors to solve present-day problems and issues.
You are the expert of your own experience; increasing awareness that thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are all connected can help you to overcome obstacles that can get in the way of meeting your goals.