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" Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or CBT, is a family of talking therapies, all based on the idea that thoughts, feelings, what we do, and how our bodies feel, are all connected. If we change one of these we can alter all the others.

When we’re low or upset, we often fall into patterns of thinking and responding which can worsen how we feel. CBT works to help us notice and change problematic thinking styles or behaviour patterns so we can feel better. 

CBT is a collaborative therapy - it’s not something that is done to someone, it’s a way of working together with a CBT therapist on mutually agreed goals." (BABCP, 2022)

No-one can answer this question but you, often people feel they need some additional support when their difficulties are affecting their daily life and/or getting in the way of them doing things they enjoy or feel is important. If you are unsure please consider booking in a free consultation slot and we can have a think about whether therapy is something you feel you need and would like to engage with. 

Being ready for therapy is a very important factor and often is a factor in how successful therapy will feel. Therapy is not an easy process and often can involve difficult and uncomfortable feelings so it is important to consider whether you are in the right environment and whether it is the right time. I always advise that the best time for therapy is when there is some stability in your day to day life. Having motivation and a willingness to be open to change is also very helpful for therapy. If you are unsure whether you are ready please consider a free consultation and I can help you think about this. 

I have met many people who have tried therapy before and perhaps it wasn't helpful or it didn't suit them, some have even had negative experiences. Naturally, in these cases approaching therapy again can come with hesitance and worry that it may also not be helpful. What is important to remember is that Therapist's have different styles, approaches and training backgrounds in the same way that clients have different experiences, needs and wants. This means that sometimes a Therapist's style/approach may not fit what the client wants/needs.

As I can't guarantee that every client that approaches for me for support will fit with my skillset and approach, I like to offer a free consultation to get a sense of whether I will be a good fit for you and vice versa. I also offer assessment sessions to get a thorough picture of what your needs and hopes are so we can decide together if we are a good match. 

You may notice words like 'therapy' and 'counselling' can get used interchangeably and wonder whether there is a difference. Put simply they are umbrella terms for different groups of therapies and depending which a practitioner has trained in will depend on which title they use. As a Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist I am a Psychotherapist (which I often shortened to Therapist) as opposed to a Counsellor for example. The main thing to think about is what type of therapy/counselling is suitable for you and your needs. This can feel a bit overwhelming and be tricky to decide so I can help you think about this should you need through a consultation or I can answer any questions via email. 

If you have any other questions please do not hesitate to email me on rlabrumcbt@outlook.com and/or book in for a free 15 minute consultation call.