Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a practical, evidence-based approach that helps us understand the patterns of thought, emotion, and behaviour that shape our daily lives. It provides a framework for making sense of how we respond to challenges, and offers tools to manage distress and worry effectively. Psychoeducation can be an important part of this process, as it can help to demystify some of the mechanisms behind our experiences.

CBT has evolved over time, and my use of CBT in therapy draws on a number of related ‘third-wave’ therapies that build on its core principles. I will often incorporate some elements of related approaches like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) into my work. Rather than challenging thoughts directly, these therapies can be used to invite us to develop a more compassionate and flexible relationship with our inner experiences.