Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
tunbridge wells - kent
What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)?
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a talking therapy that can help you manage emotional and psychological difficulties by changing the way you think and behave. CBT is based on the understanding that your thoughts, emotions, physical sensations, and actions are interconnected, and that unhelpful thoughts and feelings can sometimes trap you in negative cycles that affect daily life, relationships, confidence, and wellbeing.
CBT aims to help you break overwhelming problems down into smaller, more manageable parts. Together with your therapist, you will explore patterns in thinking and behaviour, develop greater self-awareness, and learn practical strategies to improve the way you feel on a day-to-day basis.
CBT is most commonly used to support anxiety and depression, but it can also be highly effective for a wide range of emotional, behavioural, and psychological difficulties.
How Can CBT Help?
One-to-one Cognitive Behavioural Therapy can help you:
- Understand the relationship between your thoughts, feelings, behaviours, and physical symptoms
- Identify and challenge unhelpful thinking patterns
- Develop healthier coping strategies for stress, anxiety, or low mood
- Reduce avoidance behaviours and increase confidence in everyday situations
- Build self-esteem, confidence, and self-awareness
- Learn practical tools to manage overwhelming thoughts or emotions
- Improve communication, problem-solving, and interpersonal relationships
- Feel more in control and better able to manage day-to-day challenges
- Improve emotional regulation and resilience
CBT can particularly support with:
- Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
- Work-related stress and burnout
- Panic Disorder
- Social Anxiety
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Phobias
- Depression
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and chronic pain
- Eating Disorders
- Chronic low self-esteem
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Trauma and abuse
- Body dysmorphia
- Interpersonal relationship difficulties
- Bereavement and loss
- Anger management
- Couples therapy
- Family therapy
CBT does not involve being judged, criticised, or told what to do. Instead, therapy provides a supportive and non-judgemental space to better understand yourself and develop practical strategies that feel achievable and helpful.
Sessions usually take place once a week, or once a fortnight at the same day and time where possible, to provide consistency and continuity. CBT is often considered a shorter-term therapy approach compared to some other psychological therapies, although the length of therapy varies depending on your individual needs and goals. Some people attend for focused support around a specific difficulty, while others benefit from longer-term work where difficulties are more complex or longstanding.
Sessions typically include time to explore current challenges, reflect on patterns and experiences, develop coping strategies, and review progress together. Between sessions, your therapist may suggest reflective exercises or practical strategies to help reinforce therapeutic work in everyday life.
Our sessions are provided by our specialist Cognitive Behavioural Therapist and Counsellor, Lorraine.
Please fill in the brief form at the link below and our Client Co-ordinator will contact you to book in your first session with Lorraine. She can also chat through the process with you and answer any questions.
If you would prefer not to speak on the phone to our Client Co-ordinator and just want to book an initial session with Lorraine, please click the ‘just email me’ option on the form.
Once the date and time of the first session has been confirmed, Lorraine will arrange a brief phone call with you, ahead of your initial session.
Step
Please attend the clinic at the time and date of your agreed initial session. Lorraine will be there waiting for you.
This first session is an opportunity to get a sense of whether CBT feels right for you. There is no pressure to commit beyond this session. You can let Lorraine know during the session if you would like to continue working with her, or you are welcome to take some time to think it over and email afterwards once you have decided.
Sessions can offer short-term support around a specific issue or longer-term CBT for deeper or ongoing work.
All sessions are charged at £125, inclusive of VAT
CBT or counselling: What is the difference?
CBT and counselling are both effective forms of psychological support. The main difference is that CBT is generally a more structured and goal-focused therapy that specifically explores the relationship between thoughts, emotions, behaviours, and physical responses.
Some people choose CBT because:
• They want practical strategies to manage anxiety, stress, or low mood
• They would like support identifying and changing unhelpful thought patterns
• They prefer a structured and collaborative therapeutic approach
• They want support developing coping tools they can apply in everyday life
• They feel stuck in repeated emotional or behavioural patterns
• They would like therapy that focuses on both understanding difficulties and creating practical change
• They value an evidence-based approach supported by psychological research
Counselling and CBT are not better or worse than one another; they are simply different approaches. Some people prefer a more reflective and exploratory space, while others find a structured and practical approach more helpful. Many people benefit from elements of both.
If you are unsure which approach would best suit your needs, our team is happy to discuss this with you and help you decide what feels most appropriate for you.