How will therapy help?
Anxiety
We all experience anxiety at times, but a build up of anxiety can impact our sleep, work or relationships with others. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) as the first-line treatment for anxiety. CBT helps you understand the specific triggers, unhelpful thoughts and coping strategies that feed anxiety. Together, we can develop more helpful beliefs and coping strategies that make life's ups and downs feel more calm.
Depression
Depression can feel like an uphill struggle. It can leave you feeling low in mood, tired, unmotivated and you may find it difficult to enjoy your hobbies or interests. Overcoming depression is possible with the right support. CBT can help you to understand the causes of depression alongside practical tools for improving your mood, motivation, confidence and hope for the future. Specific techniques may include increasing mood boosting activities, making lifestyle changes and learning to think about situations from a different perspective.
Relationships
Nurturing healthy relationships is essential for well-being. CBT can help you to understand the causes of relationship difficulties (such as past experiences or current triggers). CBT for strengthening relationships will be tailored to suit individual needs and preferences, but techniques may include enhancing communication, understanding boundaries and fostering intimacy.
Perfectionism
Perfectionism is a common difficulty that can have an impact on our work, relationships and social life. You might find yourself burned out from pushing yourself to achieve. You might find that it is difficult for you to celebrate your successes, due to a preoccupation with areas that you could improve on. CBT can offer you practical tools for learning to create a healthy work/life balance, reduce stress, celebrate your successes and enjoy your down time.
Trauma
Trauma can happen at any point in our lives. It can change the way we view ourselves, other people and the world. It can affect us in different ways. You may find that you have become isolated, withdrawn, or you are avoiding certain situations. Sometimes it can be difficult to develop close relationships with others after experiencing trauma. Healing from trauma is possible with the right support. Trauma-focused CBT is recommended by NICE guidelines for treating Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This approach provides a compassionate space to help you process and heal from traumatic experiences and to reclaim your life.
Low self-esteem
Self-esteem is the opinion that we have of ourselves. Low self-esteem can cause us to feel self-conscious, shy or anxious around others. We might be highly critical towards ourselves. We might find it difficult to assert ourselves and we might miss out on opportunities due to avoiding challenges. CBT can help you to recognise the cause of low self-esteem and try practical steps to improve your self-esteem. For example, challenging critical thoughts, and trying new approaches such as taking actions that align with new positive beliefs about yourself.