What can CBT help with?

CBT is a talking therapy which has been found to be effective in helping people with a range of difficulties such as stress and anxiety, low mood and depression, low confidence or poor self-esteem, sleeping problems, weight issues, as well as more specific anxiety disorders (panic disorder, agoraphobia, specific phobias, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and hoarding, health anxiety, social anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder). CBT is not a magic wand but research has shown that it can be highly effective in helping people with a wide range of problems.

How do I know CBT is for me?

CBT has been shown to be a highly effective therapy for a range of difficulties, however CBT is not necessarily the right approach for all people or at all times. Please see our home page or visit the BABCP website to find out more about CBT and decide whether this is what you are hoping for from therapy at the moment.

Can I speak to a therapist to help me to decide if CBT will help me?

Absolutely. We will be able to talk with you over the telephone free of charge to provide you with more information about CBT and so we can make a decision together about whether CBT will be helpful for you at this point in time. If we don’t think we will be able to help you we will be able to suggest other services that might be able to.

Are the sessions confidential?

It is normal practice as CBT Therapists that at times we may speak speak with our clinical supervisor about our work with clients, and this is to make sure we are offering high quality therapy. Other than this, your sessions are confidential meaning we will not speak to anyone else about what we talk about in the sessions. The only other person we may contact is you GP, but only if we are concerned about your or someone else’s safety. In this situation we would always try and discuss this with you beforehand.

What happens in a session?

Sessions will normally last for 50 minutes. The structure of each session will be similar and will include: a mood check and update, review of homework, agreement on topics for the day’s session, planning homework for the following week, summary of session and feedback.

Are sessions effective over skype?

Online therapy is becoming increasing popular due to the convenience it offers. There is a growing body of research that shows that on-line therapy is just as effective as face to face therapy

How often are the sessions?

This will depend on each individual but we often find that weekly sessions (especially at the start of treatment) have the most benefit and sessions can be spaced out once you have started to see positive changes in how you are feeling.

How many sessions will I need?

This will really depend on you. CBT is a short-term intervention and it might be that some people will benefit from just a couple of sessions while others might need more. The number of sessions needed could vary by individual from 4 and 20 sessions.

Can a therapist prescribe me medication?

No we will not be able to prescribe medication to you. But we are certainly able to talk with you about medication and decide whether it is something you need to speak with your GP or a psychiatrist about further.

Will my therapist be available for me in a crisis?

We will only be available to speak to you at your scheduled appointment time. If you are in crisis we recommend that you contact others services such as the Samaritans helpline 24 hours a day on 116 123 (if you are in the UK), or if you feel at risk to yourself we advise you contact your GP or go to your local A&E department.

How can I pay for my sessions?

We would prefer like you to pay for the appointment in advance via PayPal or a money transfer. We can discuss this with you during our initial consultation.

What if I miss and session or cancel at short notice?

If you miss a scheduled session or cancel less than 48 hours in advance we still require you to pay for half of the total cost of the appointment to cover the cost of our time.

Is my therapist qualified?

We have both completed a Postgraduate Diploma in CBT through Royal Holloway University London. We are accredited with the British Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP). See our about us page for more information.

Can I make a complaint about my therapist?

If there is something that you are not satisfied with in your contact with us we would really like you to discuss this with us. If however you feel you cannot talk to us about your concerns and you want to make a complaint you can contact the BABCP.