Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, or CBT as it’s commonly called, is one of the world’s most heavily researched and tested treatments. CBT is used in the treatment of a range of mental and emotional health issues. Most typically, it is used in the treatment of anxiety and depression.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is considered the Gold Standard intervention for anxiety. It can be as effective as using medication in the treatment of anxiety and depression. It brings significant change for many people. It is used in the treatment of childhood anxiety.

One of the main ideas of CBT is that thoughts, feelings and behaviours combine to affect quality of life. In the case of anxiety, thoughts are often problematic. And feelings, especially those of panic can be overwhelming.

For example, in social anxiety, clients often worry that other people will find them stupid, or boring. This belief causes the person to feel incredibly anxious – and often leads them to avoid social situations. It can often lead to intense feelings such as embarrassment, or shame. And lots of negative self-talk “I’m an idiot”, which is not great for self-esteem. Interestingly, we rarely meet ‘boring’ or ‘stupid’ clients… It tends to be that changing the belief leads to a reduction in anxiety that lets our client’s true selves shine. Of course, if changing beliefs was as simple as just thinking another way it would be easy. Changing beliefs can take some time. But they can change.

At Mindworx Psychology we use a ‘transdiagnostic’ approach – this means that we believe that many mental health problems share symptoms. And that means we can employ a successful strategy for that symptom, no matter what issue brings you to us. CBT can help our clients to identify unhelpful thoughts and unhelpful behaviours. And once recognised, CBT sessions teach practical strategies for change.

CBT can be a positive addition to your toolbox, and for children and teenagers, it can be the foundations for a toolbox for good mental health.Our Group programs such as Cool Kids are based on evidence based CBT programs. Cool Kids was developed here in Australia (at Macquarie University) and is one of the world’s leading interventions for childhood anxiety. We are privileged to have many of our team qualified to deliver Cool Kids both individually and in group format.

Like any other therapy, CBT can be used as a stand alone treatment, or it can be incorporated into an eclectic, unique, tailored program to suit your individual needs.

At Mindworx Psychology we find it hard to stay true to any one therapy – put simply, we love what works. All of our Psychologist have extensive therapy skills in Cognitive and Behavioural Therapy.