Holt Academy

Cognitive Behavioural Services

What is CBT?

CBT is a psychological approach which focuses on our thoughts (cognitions) and our behaviour and how they can contribute to our problems

For example if you were to think that there might be a spider in a particular room, and that thought makes you feel afraid, you might avoid going into the room for fear of there being a spider. If that thought occurs often and you avoid lots of situations because of that fear then it becomes a phobia. The problem is then that by always avoiding the situations, the problem is maintained.

CBT has some basic principles that differentiate it from most other psychological approaches. It is:

• Problem orientated: it focuses’ on the problem, as it effects you now
• Structured: it works in a step by step way from assessment to discharge
• Pro-active: you don’t just talk about your problem, you do things to improve the problem
• Empirically based: every intervention used is thoroughly tested and shown to be effective
• Short term: treatment doesn’t take years or months, in most cases it takes weeks
• Collaborative: the client takes an active part in treatment.

National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) approved

No other psychological treatment has an evidence base to match that of CBT – that’s why the National Institute of Clinical Excellence, commonly referred to as NICE, clearly recommends the work of a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist as the preferred treatment route.

At APT, where there is a protocol deemed to represent the optimal intervention we will use it, otherwise interventions are in line with what is considered best practice.

For more information regarding best practice visit (link to NICE)