Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Cognitive Therapy was founded by Aaron T. Beck, a therapist and researcher. His hypothesis was that depression could be caused and maintained by negative thinking patterns that were habitual and not necessarily conscious to the individual concerned. These negative thought patterns could, in turn, maintain the epi He conclued that these negative thought patterns could also maintain an episode of depression.
Cognitive Therapy helps the individual become aware of these patterns and to be able to influence change in a healthier and more positive way. Over the last thirty years these principles have been developed and proven by research to be effective in helping many psychological and emotional difficulties.
Another principle of the therapy is to teach the client/patient to learn and develop these skills to enable them to become their own therapist. This radical dynamic shift has been significant in reducing dependence on the therapist.
How can Cognitive Therapy Help?
Cognitive Therapy is recognised as one of the most effective forms of psychotherapy. All the principles of the therapy are underpinned by extensive research. This has shown it to be an effective therapy for a wide range of emotional and psychological difficulties including:
- Work related stress
- General anxiety
- Sleep disturbance
- Panic attacks
- Specific phobias
- Obsessions and/or compulsions
- Depression
- Bereavement
- Issues of low self esteem
- Relationship difficulties
- Sexual problems
- Poor anger control
- Psychosomatic problems/ health anxiety
What does the treatment involve?
Therapy is organised over an agreed number of sessions. The total number will depend on the individual person and the nature of the problem. Commonly 5-15 sessions are representative of a typical course of treatment. There are exceptions to this guide where more or fewer sessions can be appropriate. Sessions last an hour and take place weekly or fortnightly initially. Sessions can be more widely interspersed as therapy progresses.
Cognitive therapy can be used on its own or in conjunction with medication prescribed by your doctor.
Therapy is based upon an alliance between therapist and client. A collaborative approach is taken to explore the issues and the nature of the problem. Having a shared understanding of the client's predicament, goals will be negotiated as part of a shared treatment plan. This is referred to as the formulation, a working document shared by client and therapist.
The focus of the therapy will be based on the "here and now", although an understanding of past experience will be used to formulate the treatment plan. Solutions to the difficulties are best tested out and this will be the work undertaken by the client between sessions. The term ëhomeworkí is adopted to define this crucial part of the therapy.
Cognitive Therapy for Sleep Disturbance
Sleep is a common goal of Cognitive Therapy. Sleep occupies approximately one third of our lives, as a barometer of health it is interesting that more than a third of adults report sleeping difficulties. Difficulty getting off to sleep, broken sleep and early morning waking are common features of sleep disturbance. Sometimes over sleeping termed ëhypersomniaí is another characteristic of a poor sleeping pattern.
Some 5% of people do suffer from diagnosable sleep conditions that require more specialised medical treatments. However much has been learned to help others manage their sleep better using simple behavioural programmes. By sleeping well we are more likely to live well, the reverse is true too. So often returning to a better sleeping pattern is an early goal of Cognitive Therapy. This area is of particular interest to Alan and he has considerable experience in helping individuals restore this natural way of bringing life back into balance.