The number of sessions required in CBT varies from person to person, depending on the nature of your concerns and your goals for therapy. Typically, CBT is a short-to-medium-term therapy, lasting between 6 to 20 sessions. Some individuals may find significant relief in just a few sessions, while others may need more time to work through deeper issues. Together, we will regularly review your progress and adjust as needed. The first 1-2 sessions are normally assessment sessions.

Weekly sessions are recommended at the beginning of therapy as this helps build momentum. However, depending on your personal situation and progress, we may adjust the frequency of sessions to bi-weekly or even less frequently as we move toward the end of treatment.

During a CBT session, we will work together to explore the thoughts, feelings, and behaviours that are contributing to your difficulties. The sessions are structured and collaborative, and we will use practical exercises, discussions, and behavioural experiments to address your concerns. The aim is to arm you with the tools you need to manage your thoughts and emotions effectively, both inside and outside of therapy.

Yes, between-session work is a key part of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. During our sessions, we will develop tasks or behavioural experiments for you to try at home, these will be focused on your personal therapy goals. These tasks are designed to help you reinforce the strategies we discuss in therapy and practice new ways of thinking and behaving in your everyday life.

CBT is a structured, goal-focused therapy that helps you identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviours. Therapy normally focuses on present issues, however, sometimes it is helpful to explore the past, particularly where there is long-term issues or trauma. The aim is to give you practical tools that you can begin to use right away. Unlike some other therapies, CBT is all about finding solutions you can put into action and measuring progress along the way.

CBT can be very effective for those dealing with trauma and PTSD. Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT) is a specialised form of CBT that helps individuals process traumatic experiences in a safe, structured manner.

Progress in CBT is measured by the changes you experience in your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. We will regularly review your goals and track your progress during our sessions. We also use questionnaires at the beginning of therapy and regularly throughout which help track progress.

CBT is an effective therapy for many but may not always be the correct approach for everyone. It works best for those motivated to change their thought patterns and behaviours. During our initial consultation, we can discuss your preferences and concerns. If CBT isn’t the right fit, we can discuss this, and I can signpost further.