Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
A number of our psychologists specialise in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) at Cova Psychology. The following page provides information regarding this treatment and what it involves.
What is Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)?
The main components of CBT are spelled out in its name:
Cognitive = Thoughts. CBT seeks to change or restructure the way we think
Behaviour = Behaviours or actions. CBT seeks to change our behaviour.
Therapy = Thoughts and behaviours are explored and targeted as part of a therapeutic relationship with a therapist such as a psychologist or other allied health clinician.
In CBT treatment, you and your and therapist will work together to set up a series of treatment goals aiming to reduce symptoms whilst your well-being. Working towards these goals involves using therapy sessions to explore how your thoughts and behaviour impact your mood. Homework tasks are set for you to complete in between sessions – these tasks are important for the treatment to be effective.
An extensive body of research spanning the past four decades has demonstrated that CBT is an effective psychological intervention. As such, it is widely used throughout Australia and is recognised as an effective treatment by Medicare.
What is CBT used to treat?
Cognitive behavioural approaches are utilised to treat a whole spectrum of mental health issues including
- Depression
- Anxiety
- PTSD and trauma
- Bipolar disorder
- Anger management issues
- Eating disorders
- Personality issues
- Adjustment difficulties
How does CBT work?
In a CBT framework, you are encouraged to change behaviours in order to improve mood and well-being. For example, you might be encouraged to improve self-care, increase social support, or expand pleasurable activities. In addition, you are supported to change or restructure patterns of thinking by challenging your thoughts in a process called cognitive restructuring. Skills are taught for identifying thoughts and changing thinking patterns. This process is depicted visually in shown above.
How Schema Therapy Can Help:
Recent trends in psychotherapy have seen a shift towards more developed forms of CBT such as Schema Therapy. Schema therapy involves identifying and managing deeply held core beliefs that can lead to emotional dysreguation and unhelpful behaviours.
Our Melbourne Psychologists specialise in a range of therapies including CBT and EMDR Therapy Melbourne. To explore booking a face to face or telehealth appointment with a psychologist Melbourne please contact us to chat with one of our friendly receptionists on 039654 3557 or email contact@covapsychology.com
