At Turning Tides Psychology, we offer Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for a number of different mental health difficulties. CBT is focused on problems in the present rather than working through events from the past. It is goal-orientated and problem specific. It helps people to understand that thoughts, feelings and behaviours (what you do or don’t do) are all linked. It works on the theory that a change in one of these areas (thoughts, feelings or behaviour) will lead to a change in them all. For example if a depressed person has the thought ‘I can’t do anything right’ this may lead them to feel low in mood and their behaviour may be avoidant of doing anything. CBT helps people to change their thinking pattern to more realistic thoughts such as ‘I can do lots of things well’. This is likely to help boost feelings of confidence and the person’s behaviour is more likely to be proactive.
A person who is depressed may also have an underlying belief such as ‘I am not good enough’. The psychologist will work with the client to look at evidence which challenges this belief. It does this through ‘thought challenging’ and ‘behavioural experiments’. These new ways of thinking and behaving then lead to changes to how the person is feeling.
What can CBT be used for?
CBT has been found to be useful for a wide range of mental health problems including:
- Anxiety
- Heath anxiety
- Depression
- Phobias
- Sleep
- Coping with long term illnesses
How does CBT work?
CBT uses various techniques to help clients change their thought patterns and behaviours which include:
- Cognitive restructuring: This involves replacing negative thoughts with more positive or realistic thoughts.
- Exposure therapy: This involves gradually exposing someone to a situation or object which might trigger anxiety.
- Behavioural activation: This involves helping people to increase the amount of activities which improve their mood.
- Relaxation techniques: This involves teaching clients ways to reduce their stress and anxiety such as breathing techniques.
What evidence is there that CBT is effective?
CBT is one of the most widely researched talking therapies. There is a substantial body of research which suggest CBT is effective for a range of different mental health conditions and is the first line treatment for anxiety.
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Fees
We have tried to keep our pricing as simple and straightforward as possible. We charge £120 for a 50 minute appointment, regardless of whether this is an assessment or therapy session. Our fees are the same for face-to-face appointments and online appointments as you will receive the same high standard of care from our psychologists, regardless of how it is delivered.
Why choose a psychologist?
All clinical psychologists are educated to doctoral level. This means as a minimum they have completed a degree in Psychology and a doctorate in Clinical Psychology. Their training spans a minimum of 6 years of education, although often psychologists have done further education and training than this.
Psychologists are trained to understand how the brain works and how this can contribute to common mental health problems. One of a psychologists core skill is developing an understanding of why you behave in a certain way and what is maintaining the problem. This is called a psychological formulation. Psychologists have the skills and training to work with a wide range of mental health difficulties from mild problems to the more complex presentations. Psychologists are trained in a wide range of evidence based talking therapies and can often blend these together where needed. Each formulation and treatment plan they develop is completely bespoke to your individual needs.
Is a psychologist the same as a counsellor?
No. Counsellors work with people who need a safe place to speak in order to manage their distress. They help the client to reflect on their situation to find their own answers. Counsellors are usually trained to Masters level and tend not to work with people who may have more complex mental health problems. If you are looking for more general support a counsellor may be a good option but if you require more intensive therapy a psychologist may be a better fit. It is important to research and choose a qualified professional who can provide the help you need.
