What Does CBT Therapy Do?

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is one of the most well known and effective forms of talking therapy. It is practical, structured and focused on helping you understand why you think, feel and behave the way you do. Many people choose CBT because it gives them tools they can use in everyday life, not just in the therapy room.

If you are thinking about starting therapy, here is a simple explanation of what CBT does and how it helps.

CBT helps you understand patterns that are keeping you stuck

Most people come to therapy because something feels overwhelming, confusing or difficult to change. CBT helps you notice the patterns behind your thoughts, feelings and behaviours so you can understand what is going on instead of feeling controlled by it.

You and your therapist will gently explore things like:

• unhelpful thought patterns
• emotional reactions that feel too strong or too quick
• habits that keep problems going
• fears or worries that feel hard to manage

Once you understand what drives these patterns, change becomes far more possible.

CBT gives you practical tools you can use straight away

One of the reasons CBT is so popular is because it offers real, usable techniques. These might include:

• tools to calm anxiety
• strategies for dealing with stress
• ways to challenge negative thoughts
• techniques for improving sleep
• coping skills for difficult emotions
• gradual steps for facing fears

Your therapist will help you practise these tools at your own pace so you feel more in control of your wellbeing.

CBT is focused on what is happening in your life right now

You do not have to explore your childhood or past unless you want to. CBT is mainly focused on how your current thoughts and behaviours are affecting how you feel today.

This makes it particularly helpful if you want support that is:

• structured
• clear
• goal focused
• practical
• solution led

It is also why CBT often leads to improvements quite quickly.

CBT helps with many common difficulties

People often choose CBT for:

• anxiety and worry
• stress
• panic attacks
• low mood
• phobias
• OCD
• trauma symptoms
• sleep problems
• health anxiety
• everyday emotional challenges

You can read more about the types of problems we support here:
👉 https://cbtandcounsellingkent.co.uk/problems-we-can-help-with/

What does a CBT session actually look like?

Your therapist will guide you through a calm and structured process. A typical session includes:

• checking in on how you have been
• exploring what has been most difficult
• understanding the thoughts and feelings behind it
• practising tools or strategies together
• planning small, manageable steps for the week

Everything is tailored to your pace and comfort. You are in control.

How CBT helps over time

As therapy progresses, you may begin to notice:

• clearer thinking
• fewer overwhelming reactions
• feeling less stuck
• improved confidence
• more helpful ways of coping
• a better understanding of yourself

Most importantly, you learn how to manage challenges long after therapy ends.

Ready to begin?

If you would like to try CBT, we offer both face to face and online sessions across Kent.

You can view our therapists and book a session here:
👉 https://cbtandcounsellingkent.co.uk/book-appointment-now/

Sessions are £68 for a full one hour appointment, and you can book one session at a time with no long term commitment.