Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) - leaflet print - Patient UK Page 1

feelings, attitudes,
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
of trying out ways of coping which you have learned during therapy.

How well does CBT work?

CBT aims to help you to change the way that you think, feel and behave.
CBT has been shown in clinical trials to help ease symptoms of various health problems. For
It is used as a treatment for various mental health and physical problems.
example, research studies have shown that a course of CBT is just as effective as medication in
treating depression and certain anxiety disorders. There may be long-term benefits of CBT as the
techniques to combat these problems can be used for the rest of your life to help to keep symptoms
away. So, for example, depression or anxiety are less likely to recur in the future. There is good
research
What isevidencecognitive too tobehaviour
show that CBT can help(CBT)?
therapy to improve symptoms of some physical conditions
such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Cognitive therapy
What is the processes'
Our 'cognitive difference arebetween
our thoughts CBT whichand other
include ourtalking treatments?
ideas, mental images, beliefs and
attitudes. Cognitive therapy is based on the principle that certain ways of thinking can trigger, or 'fuel',
CBT
certainis one typeproblems.
health of psychotherapy ('talking
For example, treatment').
anxiety, Unlikephobias,
depression, other types
etc, of
butpsychotherapy
there are othersit does not
involve
including 'talking freely',
physical or dwellThe
problems. on therapist
events in helps
your past to understand
you to gain insight your
into your emotional
current thoughtstate of mind.
patterns. In
Itparticular,
is not a 'lietoon the couch
identify and tell all'
any harmful, type of and
unhelpful, therapy.
'false' ideas or thoughts which you have that can
trigger your health problem, or make it worse. The aim is then to change your ways of thinking to
CBT
avoidtends
these toideas.
deal with the
Also, to'here and now'
help your - how
thought your current
patterns thoughts
to be more and and
realistic behaviours
helpful. are affecting
you now. It recognises that events in your past have shaped the way that you currently think and
Behaviour
behave. therapy thought patterns and behaviours learned in childhood, However, CBT does not
In particular,
This aims
dwell on thetopast,
changebut any
aimsbehaviours that are
to find solutions to harmful or not helpful.
how to change Various
your current techniques
thoughts and are used. For
behaviours
soexample,
that youacan common
functionunhelpful
better inbehaviour
the future.is to avoid situations that can make you anxious. In some
people with phobias the avoidance can become extreme and affect day-to-day life. In this situation a
type is
CBT ofalso
behaviour
differenttherapy called 'exposure
to counselling which is therapy'
meant tomay be used. This empathic
be non-directive, is where youandare gradually
supportive.
exposed the
Although moreCBT and more towill
therapist feared
offersituations.
support and The therapistthe
empathy, teaches
therapyyou
hashow to control is
a structure, anxiety and to
problem-
cope when
focused andyou face up to the feared situations. For example, by using deep breathing and other
practical.
techniques.
What are the limitations of CBT?
Cognitive behaviour therapy - CBT
This does
CBT is a mixture
not suitof cognitiveand
everyone andit behaviour therapies.
is not helpful They are often
for all conditions. combined
You need to be because
committed how
and we
behave often
persistent reflectsand
in tackling howimproving
we think your
abouthealth
certain things or
problem situations.
with The
the help of emphasis
the therapist.onIt cognitive or
can be hard
behaviour
work. aspects of therapy
The 'homework' may be can vary,
difficult depending
and on the
challenging. Youcondition
may be being
taken treated. Forcomfort
'out of your example, there
zone'
is often
when more situations
tackling emphasis which
on behaviour therapyorwhen
cause anxiety treating
distress. obsessive
However, manycompulsive
people havedisorder
greatly(where
repetitivefrom
benefited compulsive
a courseactions
of CBT.are a main problem). On the other hand, the emphasis may be more on
cognitive therapy when treating depression.
How can I get CBT?
What conditions can be helped by CBT?
Your doctor may refer you to a therapist who has been trained in CBT. This may be a psychologist,
CBT has been
psychiatrist, shown tonurse,
psychiatric help people
or otherwith various
health care condition - both
professional. mental
There is ahealth
limitedconditions
number ofand
CBT
physical conditions.
therapists available onFor example:
the NHS. You may wish to go private if it is not available in your area on the
NHS. (See below
certain for resources.)
anxiety However,phobias,
disorders including government
panicpolicy
attacksis to make
and CBT
panic more widely available
disorder
on the NHS.
depression
eating disorders
Do-it-yourself CBT
obsessive-compulsive disorder
Although body
CBTdysmorphic disorder
with the help of a trained therapist is best, some people prefer to tackle their problems
angerThere are a range of books and leaflets on self-help for the problems which CBT is
themselves.
post-traumatic-stress
useful for disorder etc). More recently, interactive CDs and websites are being
(anxiety, phobias, depression,
developedsexual
andand relationship
evaluated problems CBT for a variety of conditions. See the resources below
for self-directed
habits such
for further details. as facial tics
drug or alcohol abuse
Further some sleep problems
resources
chronic fatigue syndrome / ME
chronic
The British (persistent)ofpain
Association Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP)
Globe Centre, PO BOX 9, Accrington, BB5 2GD
As a01254
Tel: rule, the moreWeb:
875277 specific the problem, the more likely CBT may help. This is because it is a
www.babcp.com
practicalatherapy
Maintain registerwhich focuses on They
of practitioners. particular
also problems and aims
have pamphlets (fortoa overcome them.
small charge) CBTprovide
which is
sometimesabout
information used alone,
problemsandsuch
sometimes useddepression,
as anxiety, in addition to medication,
PTSD, depending
OCD, social onagoraphobia,
phobia, the type and
severityfatigue
chronic of the syndrome,
condition being treated.
eating disorders, etc.
What Cognitive
Oxford is likely Therapy
to happen during
Centre (OCTC) a course of CBT?
Based in the Oxford Psychology Department, part of Oxfordshire Mental Healthcare Trust.
The first
Web: session of therapy will usually include time for the therapist and you to develop a shared
www.octc.co.uk
understanding
Their of the
website gives problem.
details This
of how to is usually
order to identify
a number how yourbooklets
of self-help thoughts, ideas,
with a CBT approach for
conditions such as OCD, anxiety, panic, depression, phobias, etc.
Ultrasis
Web: www.ultrasis.com - produce interactive, computer based CBT programmes.
FearFighter
Web: www.fearfighter.com - a method for delivering CBT on the internet.

References
Depression and anxiety - computerised cognitive behavioural therapy (CCBT), NICE (2006)

http://www.patient.co.uk/printer.asp?doc=27000424 4/6/2009 8:51:41 PM

which occur when you become anxious before a social event. Later on you may be given homework
of trying out ways of coping which you have learned during therapy.

How well does CBT work?

CBT has been shown in clinical trials to help ease symptoms of various health problems. For
example, research studies have shown that a course of CBT is just as effective as medication in
treating depression and certain anxiety disorders. There may be long-term benefits of CBT as the
techniques to combat these problems can be used for the rest of your life to help to keep symptoms
away. So, for example, depression or anxiety are less likely to recur in the future. There is good
research evidence too to show that CBT can help to improve symptoms of some physical conditions
such as rheumatoid arthritis.

What is the difference between CBT and other talking treatments?

CBT is one type of psychotherapy ('talking treatment'). Unlike other types of psychotherapy it does not
involve 'talking freely', or dwell on events in your past to gain insight into your emotional state of mind.
It is not a 'lie on the couch and tell all' type of therapy.

CBT tends to deal with the 'here and now' - how your current thoughts and behaviours are affecting
you now. It recognises that events in your past have shaped the way that you currently think and
behave. In particular, thought patterns and behaviours learned in childhood, However, CBT does not
dwell on the past, but aims to find solutions to how to change your current thoughts and behaviours
so that you can function better in the future.

CBT is also different to counselling which is meant to be non-directive, empathic and supportive.
Although the CBT therapist will offer support and empathy, the therapy has a structure, is problem-
focused and practical.

What are the limitations of CBT?

CBT does not suit everyone and it is not helpful for all conditions. You need to be committed and
persistent in tackling and improving your health problem with the help of the therapist. It can be hard
work. The 'homework' may be difficult and challenging. You may be taken 'out of your comfort zone'
when tackling situations which cause anxiety or distress. However, many people have greatly
benefited from a course of CBT.

How can I get CBT?

Your doctor may refer you to a therapist who has been trained in CBT. This may be a psychologist,
psychiatrist, psychiatric nurse, or other health care professional. There is a limited number of CBT
therapists available on the NHS. You may wish to go private if it is not available in your area on the
NHS. (See below for resources.) However, government policy is to make CBT more widely available
on the NHS.

Do-it-yourself CBT
Although CBT with the help of a trained therapist is best, some people prefer to tackle their problems
themselves. There are a range of books and leaflets on self-help for the problems which CBT is
useful for (anxiety, phobias, depression, etc). More recently, interactive CDs and websites are being
developed and evaluated for self-directed CBT for a variety of conditions. See the resources below
for further details.

Further resources
The British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP)
Globe Centre, PO BOX 9, Accrington, BB5 2GD
Tel: 01254 875277 Web: www.babcp.com
Maintain a register of practitioners. They also have pamphlets (for a small charge) which provide
information about problems such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, OCD, social phobia, agoraphobia,
chronic fatigue syndrome, eating disorders, etc.
Oxford Cognitive Therapy Centre (OCTC)
Based in the Oxford Psychology Department, part of Oxfordshire Mental Healthcare Trust.
Web: www.octc.co.uk
Their website gives details of how to order a number of self-help booklets with a CBT approach for
conditions such as OCD, anxiety, panic, depression, phobias, etc.
Ultrasis
Web: www.ultrasis.com - produce interactive, computer based CBT programmes.
FearFighter
Web: www.fearfighter.com - a method for delivering CBT on the internet.

References
Depression and anxiety - computerised cognitive behavioural therapy (CCBT), NICE (2006)
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) - leaflet print - Patient UK Page 3

What are Cognitive and/or Behavioural Psychotherapies? A paper prepared for a UKCP/BACP
mapping psychotherapy exercise by Katy Grazebrook, Anne Garland and the Board of BABCP
July 2005
O'Kearney RT, Anstey KJ, von Sanden C. Behavioural and cognitive behavioural therapy for
obsessive compulsive disorder in children and adolescents. Cochrane Database of Systematic
Reviews 2006, Issue 4
James A, Soler A, Weatherall R. Cognitive behavioural therapy for anxiety disorders in children
and adolescents. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2005

Disclaimer: This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. EMIS has used
all reasonable care in compiling the information but make no warranty as to its accuracy. Consult a doctor or other health care professional
for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. For details see our conditions.
© EMIS 2009 Reviewed: 1 May 2007 DocID: 4789 Version: 39

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