Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is built on the idea that our thoughts shape how we feel and act. We have over 60,000 thoughts each day, but how many of them are we truly aware of? More importantly, how many are harmful or limiting? Left unchecked, these thoughts can shape how we feel and act, often trapping us in cycles of anxiety, stress, or low self-esteem.
This is where Cognitive Behavioural Therapy comes in. it helps you unlearn negative thoughts and behaviours and adopt healthier thinking patterns and habits.
What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy?
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is a type of talk therapy that focuses on the relationship between thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. It is based on the idea that our thoughts strongly influence how we feel and act. One core principle is that psychological issues are partly based on problematic core beliefs, which influence how we view ourselves and the world.
Imagine waving at a friend and they don’t wave back. One way to interpret it is that they simply didn’t see you, which you might easily shrug off. Another way is to assume they’re ignoring you or don’t like you, which could leave you feeling sad, rejected, or even angry.
CBT helps you identify these negative or distorted thoughts, test whether they are accurate, and reframe them into something healthier
Who Can Benefit From CBT?
CBT can help anyone who struggles with unhelpful thoughts or behaviours. You do not need a diagnosed mental health condition to benefit from CBT. It is useful for anyone who wants to learn how to overcome negative thinking patterns and improve daily functioning.
CBT can support people experiencing a variety of challenges, including:
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Eating disorders such as bulimia or anorexia
- Depression
- Phobias
- Anxiety disorders
- Insomnia
- Addiction
- Low self-esteem
- Stress
- Grief
- Relationship challenges
Read our blog articles on these conditions to learn more about how CBT can help.
How CBT Works
Consider Sarah’s story to understand CBT better. Sarah went through a painful friendship breakup. Since then, she kept thinking that she was not a good friend. Each time she reflected on it, she felt sad and withdrawn. She avoided reaching out to new people and even her existing friends because she feared she would only hurt them.
Her mother encouraged her to seek therapy. In her sessions, her therapist introduced her to some common CBT techniques, which unfolded in four steps:
1. Identifying the Thought
The first step is awareness. Sarah identified the thought that troubled her most, that she was not a good friend.
2. Challenging the Thought
Next, she examined whether this thought was a fact or just an assumption. Sarah remembered friendships that lasted years and friends describing her as kind and supportive. Her therapist helped her see that one failed friendship did not define her as a bad friend. She realized she had been generalizing one experience into a permanent label.
3. Reframing the Thought
Together, they created a more balanced perspective. One friendship might not have worked out, but that did not mean she was a bad friend. She had positive experiences before and could build new friendships in the future. This new way of thinking felt lighter and more hopeful.
4. Changing Behaviour
Finally, Sarah took a small step by reaching out to an old friend for coffee. When she did, she realized she could maintain meaningful connections. Her actions began to reflect healthier thinking, reinforcing her new mindset.
Sarah ’s story shows that CBT is about noticing unhelpful thoughts, questioning them, reframing them into healthier perspectives, and taking small behavioural steps that strengthen a positive mindset.
Benefits of CBT
CBT can help you:
- Become more self-aware and recognise harmful beliefs
- Develop coping skills for stressful situations
- Manage symptoms of mental health conditions
- Reduce the chance of recurring symptoms
- Handle emotions more effectively
- Improve communication and manage relationship conflicts
- Build resilience
Even without a mental health condition, CBT can help you manage everyday stress and improve how you respond to challenges.
How to Get Started With CBT
Getting started with CBT does not have to feel overwhelming. Whether you are exploring it on your own or with professional guidance, there are simple ways to begin.
1. Self-help resources
Books, podcasts, and online materials can introduce CBT techniques such as journaling or thought records.
A licensed therapist trained in CBT can guide you through a structured process. Sessions are usually limited in number and flexible. Using question-and-answer methods, the therapist helps you gain new perspectives.
3. Consistent practice
CBT works best when applied daily. Writing down thoughts, questioning them, and trying small behavioural changes gradually rewires thought patterns.
Tips for Getting the Most From CBT
- To make your therapy successful, be open and honest by sharing your thoughts, feelings, and experiences, and be willing to try new approaches.
- Set clear goals to help you stay focused and understand what you want to achieve.
- Follow your treatment plan carefully, as skipping sessions can disrupt progress.
- Be patient, because change takes time, but consistent effort leads to results.
- Complete any homework your therapist assigns between sessions, as it reinforces what you learn.
- Communicate openly with your therapist if progress feels slow, and discuss possible adjustments to your approach or even consider changing therapists if needed.
Ultimately, the success of CBT depends on both the therapist and the person undergoing therapy.
Conclusion
Our thoughts hold power, either keeping us stuck in fear, guilt, and self-doubt or leading us toward growth and resilience. If negative thoughts weigh you down, CBT may be your first step toward clarity and healing. You do not have to take that step alone. With Tranqbay, you can begin your first session or schedule a consultation today.
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