Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) combines the two psychological approaches that dominated the 20th century. The first half of the century saw the prevalence of Behaviourism, an approach that explains human behaviour in terms of the influence of the environment on the individual. It proposes that all behaviour is learnt and depends on previous experience. In response to Behaviourism, Cognitivism emerged, shifting the focus onto cognitions (i.e. thinking processes), which had been left out of the picture when explaining human behaviour. According to Cognitivism, thinking processes affect behaviour and determine it. In reality, both previous experience and cognition interact in determining behaviour and hence the combination of these two factors was necessary.
What is CBT?
You might have heard of CBT, but what is it exactly? As the words that compose the term indicate, a CBT session attempts to change how an individual thinks about something, which in its turn has an impact on the behavioural outcome. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is a form of talking therapy but unlike other therapy types it focuses on the present rather than digging into the past to find the origin of our problems, much in the fashion of Freudian Psychoanalysis. Far from being ‘simply’ a talking therapy, CBT requires constant effort and work from the person wishing to modify a behaviour. In order to become aware of one’s thinking processes, CBT uses practical tasks, exercises, homework, reading and journal writing among other things. Even though rewiring the brain is possible, it isn’t easy either. The client is directly involved in the therapeutic process: he is the agent of the change.
What is CBT for?
Originally designed to help people who suffer with Depression, CBT is now successfully used to treat a variety of mental and behavioural problems such as eating disorders, phobias, anxiety and addiction just to mention a few. The great advantage of CBT is that, once learnt, its principles can be applied to other problems or situations. This means that after doing CBT, an individual will have a wider range of tools available to him to deal with different life challenges. Does this type of therapy appeal to you? Whether you want to learn about CBT to improve one or more ares of your personal or professional life, or you are a psychotherapist wishing to add another string to your bow, you should consider taking this course on CBT.
Who is this course for?
- People who have no prior experience of the subject;
- Established practitioners who wish to build on their existing knowledge of CBT;
- Those who wish to further their career in counselling, or any other coaching/therapy based fields;
- People who are interested in self help and self development;
- Those who want to learn life therapy skills and techniques;
- Anyone who wants to train in becoming their own counsellor and CBT therapist.
What will you learn on this course?
Here are just some of the things covered in this comprehensive course:
- What CBT is
- Who uses CBT
- What CBT can be used for
- How to apply CBT when used as a self-help therapy
- The principles of CBT
- Understanding the CBT triangle (feelings – thoughts – behaviour)
- Recognising our emotions
- Identifying and understanding our thoughts, feelings and behaviours
- Learn about Negative Automatic Thoughts (NATs)
- Recognising thinking traps and identifying negative patterns
- Challenging and changing negative patterns of thoughts, feelings and behaviours
- Finding alternatives
- A special section on Anxiety
Are you ready to start questioning the way you think and changing your behavioural patterns? Then sign up for this course to learn how this can be achieved.
