What is CBT?
CBT therapy is the most common treatment for anxiety, but it can also treat depression, PTSD, insomnia, OCD, and eating disorders, as well as assist adaptation with ADHD and Autism. Online CBT therapy in Ireland is accessible, convenient, and flexible in a virtual space. However, some individuals may benefit from medication management, neuro-psychological diagnoses, or clinical care in addition to CBT therapy.
There’s plenty to be anxious about during a sprawling pandemic. Many of us see an unpredictable future for our job, relationship, and living situation.
Not having control over our personal future causes a great deal of anxiety, sometimes so much that we feel restless, fatigued, and unmotivated. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) does treat anxiety, but there are many more benefits of CBT that will help you manage during uncertain times.
Finding CBT online in Ireland is easier than you may think. Our therapists can provide CBT therapy online to help you navigate challenges in life. Book now to get started.
What is CBT Therapy?
CBT therapy is quickly gaining popularity. Online CBT counselling works extremely well virtually, so you and your family members can explore what CBT therapy is from the safety of your own home.
What does CBT mean? Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is explained somewhat by the words in its name. CBT is how we can use our thoughts to change our emotions and behaviour, and conversely, our emotions and behavior to change our thoughts.
According to the National Association of Cognitive Behaviour Therapies (NACBT), the foundational principle of CBT is that our emotional reactions and behaviors are strongly influenced by our thoughts, beliefs, and interpretations about ourselves in day to day situations.
In addition to the core CBT principle, other characteristics include:
Focusing on the present rather than the past
Collaborating closely with your counsellor in CBT
Goal-oriented and problem-focused
Structured to encourage active participation
CBT essentially teaches you how to rewire your own brain to shut down negative thought patterns.
How does CBT work?
CBT’s meaning is further evident in how it works.
CBT history has roots first documented in 1934 by behavioral psychologist Albert Ellis. After all, our behavior changes as we adjust our thoughts and emotions. Ellis began the journey to what is now modern day CBT.
A research review commissioned by the Irish Council for Psychotherapy includes an explanation of Ellis’ theory of rational emotive therapy. Ellis later developed the ABC model which is a gentler technique used within the CBT model.
The ABC model of CBT is most commonly used as a CBT therapy worksheet with three columns.
Column “A” is for activating event or situation — the occurrence that caused the negative emotional response.
Column “B” is for beliefs — the negative thoughts.
Column “C” is for consequence — the negative feelings and undesirable behaviors that followed the event.
CBT treatment can also include other CBT therapy techniques, like socratic questioning. CBT techniques aim to help clients process thoughts, emotions, and behaviors and how they all connect; therefore, the therapist is likely to ask questions to keep the ABC process going.
Additionally, CBT counsellors will often encourage clients to practice the ABC model — in a personal CBT journal or a specially structured CBT thought diary — and bring written CBT homework to sessions for additional guidance.
When CBT self-help books and free CBT worksheets just aren’t cutting it, a CBT therapist online can make a huge difference. Begin your journey today by booking a session with a CBT counsellor now.
What are the benefits of CBT?
When it comes to stress management, CBT is an effective approach. Stress and how we respond to stress can cause anxiety, depression, eating disorders, insomnia, and even medical conditions like gastritis and cardiomyopathy.
The British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) outlines some of the evidence-based benefits of CBT:
Increased rational thoughts and beliefs
Learning strategies to control your thought patterns
Increased confidence from improved beliefs about yourself
Learning how to calm down and relax
You expect more positive outcomes
Stress comes in all forms, and it is often created by external forces out of our control. CBT helps gain control of your thoughts and emotions and process stress more effectively.
What about CBT for Anxiety?
Traditionally, CBT benefits anxiety the most, which we describe further, but it has many more uses. Some may say that the best benefit is mindfulness — CBT does use thought processes — so being more aware of how our thoughts control our emotions and behaviors is what makes CBT work so well.
CBT benefits anxiety treatment because anxiety often originates in our thoughts (cognition). And, there are many types of anxiety.
CBT for health anxiety is particularly helpful during a global pandemic. It’s acceptable to fear the worst outcomes in times of uncertainty. Health anxiety treatment will require cooperation between your primary care doctor and your CBT therapist — Dublin in-person appointments may be a better option than online CBT in Ireland.
CBT for social anxiety benefits those whose anxiety affects how they perceive themselves during social interactions. Feelings of self-consciousness and embarrassment can result because someone with social anxiety feels they are being scrutinized or judged negatively by others.
You and your counsellor will likely create a personalized CBT treatment plan for anxiety together. Short-term and long-term personal goals are identified prior to any in-session CBT techniques for anxiety like the ABC model described above or possibly more elaborate CBT worksheets for anxiety that you can do at home and bring back to your next session.
What else does CBT Treat?
CBT is most commonly used to treat anxiety, but the method has many more benefits. Keep in mind, however, not all therapists specialize in these areas. It may be best to seek CBT therapists in Dublin in combination with other services such as medication management, neuro-psychological diagnosis, or clinical care.
CBT for Depression
Using CBT with depression can help someone set small goals to gradually return to enjoying life activities, increase motivation, and improve mood.
CBT for Eating Disorders
Using CBT with eating disorders can help someone change their thoughts and beliefs about eating, body weight, and body shape.
CBT for Insomnia
Using CBT with insomnia can help by identifying poor sleep habits, learning relaxation techniques, and reducing worry about not being able to sleep.
CBT for OCD
Using CBT with OCD can help by identifying obsessional thoughts, confronting feared situations, and stopping unnecessary rituals.
CBT for PTSD
Using CBT with PTSD can help by identifying how the traumatic event is affecting one's life, processing the memories of the trauma, and learning how to gradually confront situations that were previously avoided.
CBT for ADHD
Using CBT with ADHD does not treat the core symptoms of distraction or impulsion, but it can facilitate daily struggles such as time management and procrastination.
CBT for Autism
Using CBT with autism does not treat autistic behaviors, but it can help manage the anxiety and emotions that come from practicing adaptive behaviors.
CBT limitations exist, but it’s difficult to know what they are without trying it first. Whether you have an official diagnosis or not, CBT therapy actually helps everyone. We can’t rely on our loved ones or friends to try to facilitate our stress management process, which is different for each person — that’s what makes CBT therapy so versatile.
Fortunately, there are a variety of CBT apps for mobile devices that makes it even easier to access CBT online. There is no obligation to travel for CBT therapy — Dublin may not be easily accessible to everyone.
When you’ve processed as much as you can on your own, CBT counselling is your next step. Find CBT therapy in Ireland by booking your first session today.