Mike offers Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) as part of an integrated approach to therapy (CBT strategies) for the treatment of depression, panic and anxiety attacks, anger management, obsessive compulsive problems, social anxiety and pain management..
Broadly speaking one of the basic principles of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is the idea that all of our experiences are open to interpretation. If interpretations we form about ourselves and / or our experiences are based on beliefs rather than facts our interpretations may not always be correct. As a consequence unrealistic and negative beliefs may result in emotional distress and unhelpful behaviour.
Part of the process of CBT is for client and therapist to work collaboratively to review thinking (cognitive) and what is done (behaviour) in response to interpretations of self and events. The work undertaken might be viewed as 'experimental' with client keeping records to determine outcome of changes. By making changes to thinking in line with positive 'experimental' results, emotional disturbance can be reduced.
Although CBT concentrates on the here and now, (that is current problems) at times there may be a need to talk about past experiences in order to understand how interpretations and assumptions may have determined current thinking and behaviour.
CBT and you
Depending on the nature of the problem sessions will mostly be weekly, each session lasting 60 minutes. Duration of therapy can vary, however, as a general rule therapy may take between 5 and 20 sessions.
Sessions are structured and follow an agreed pattern. You decide what you want to deal with in the short, medium and long term and we will agree what to discuss each day.
You will not be asked to do things you don't want to do - you decide the pace of the treatment and what you will and won't try. The strength of CBT is that you can continue to practice and develop your skills even after the sessions have finished.
Most of us know it's easy to talk about doing something, much harder to actually do it. So, after you have identified what you can change, 'homework' may be recommended - you practice these changes in your everyday life.
It is to be noted that CBT is not suitable for everyone; you may feel uncomfortable with the therapy, in which case we can discuss integrating alternative therapies together with CBT strategies if that is appropriate.
Mike Bellew BSc (Psych) MBACP (Accred) UKRCP
01460 242349
Counsellor - Counselling - EMDR - CBT - Yeovil - Counsellor - Relationship Counselling - Anger Management Counselling