Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a talking therapy that helps you manage problems by encouraging you to recognise how your thoughts can affect your feelings and behaviour. CBT combines a cognitive approach (examining your thoughts) with a behavioural approach (the things you do). It aims to break overwhelming problems down into smaller parts, making them easier to manage.

​

Because thoughts, emotions, feelings, actions and the situations you encounter are all related the way these affect each other can sometimes lead to a negative cycle. CBT helps you to understand how these negative cycles happen, then make changes to change them into more helpful ways of thinking.

​

It is a structured and pragmatic process used in the NHS and recommended by NICE guidelines, which helps you identify what is causing an issue and then resolve those issues through making practical changes.

​

CBT may be used on its own or in combination with other therapies.