Cognitive therapy with CBThamblet.: Welcome

Testimonials from previous clients using CBThamblet services:

The five week course of CBT was an unexpectedly positive experience for me. Having suffered this escalating phobia for the majority of my adult life, I was sceptical that anything would really help me to overcome it, but I was wrong. The basic theories make good common sense, and, combined with the homework between sessions, made a really big impact in reducing the anxiety that I had been feeling. A year on, and I continue to feel the benefits. If things start to slip, I know that I have the tools in place to get back on track again. I'm really glad that I gave it a go, because it has made such a difference.

CJ.
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I have found Charlies thought provoking approach has suited me very well and I experienced an immediate improvement in the anxiety and panic attacks that I had been suffering from for a number of years. I have particularly benefited from the research he suggested I did which aleviated the catastrophic thoughts I was having and which fuelled my panic. We have worked very well together on this and other issues and I have found the process rewarding and also enjoyable.

CM.
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My biggest worry when I met Charlie was that he would refuse to take me on as a patient as I considered myself “too far gone” and untreatable. After the first hour of treatment I felt a massive weight lift from my shoulders. For the first time in years I could accept that I did actually suffer from depression and that I was treatable. During the last few months in therapy I have experienced a dramatic and rapid improvement in my life. My entire outlook on life has improved, I’ve learned how to spot and then challenge the thoughts and actions that dragged me down and replace them with more balanced views and actions. I am finding CBT an exciting and gentle experience and discovering things about me that are the exact opposite of what I previously secretly believed.

NK.

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What is cognitive behavioural therapy ?

Cognitive behaviour therapy is the 'umbrella term' given for a collection of various cognitive and / or behavioural psychotherapies. Different therapists may sometimes term themselves behavioural and / or cognitive, this may be dependent upon upon their training or theoretical orientation.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (C.B.T) is a well documented evidence based psychotherapy, which scientific research suggests is particularly effective for the treatment of anxiety disorders such as obsessive compulsive disorder, panic, post-traumatic stress disorder to name just a few. In addition to this, C.B.T has proven to be effective in cases of depression and other stress related illnesses.

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Is cognitive behavioural therapy a ''one size fits all'' approach to psychotherapy ?

Not at all. Despite some recent uninformed media articles which have appeared to describe 'C.B.T' in this manner , cognitive therapy is a very diverse approach, which considers the specific needs and problems of the individual.
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Is cognitive therapy only useful for 'straight forward' cases of anxiety and depression, and insufficient for 'complex' cases ?

No. Despite this becoming an apparently increasing view of CBT and certain press releases expressing views from therapists from differing schools of therapy, who appear to suggest cbt can not treat 'complex cases' such as childhood trauma etc. The clinical evidence (please see NICE guidelines for trauma & works of Mervin Smucker re CBT for treatment for victims of childhood abuse) would seem to suggest otherwise.
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Is cognitive therapy a simple therapy you can pick up in a couple of sessions ?

This depends upon the individual and the disorder being treated. Again from recent media coverage there appears to be an increasing trend to view cognitive therapy as straightforward and easy to apply. The mistake seems to be from viewing a therapy which is comprehensive as simple . This is not always the case, hence the need for cognitive therapists.

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I've had cbt self help before , is this the same as the therapy you offer ?

Self help approaches to CBT are not the same as actually receiving cognitive psychotherapy, although cognitive therapy's aim is to eventually help the client to become their own therapist.
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Do you have to be trained as a psychologist to be a cognitive behavioural therapist ?

Qualified cognitive behavioural therapists come from a variety of different backgrounds and professions, including social work,psychiatry, occupational therapy, psychology and mental health nursing. Training to be a qualified cognitive therapist usually involves a combination of post graduate study in cognitive therapy and extensive clinical supervision. If you are considering private cognitive therapy, it is important you ask about the therapist's experience and qualifications in cognitive therapy. The B.A.B.C.P sets minimum criteria for therapists to meet before they can advertise themselves as cognitive therapists. I'm not aware of any evidence that suggests that individual's from any one specific professional background are better at providing cognitive therapy once they have specialised in this area.
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What areas do you specialise in?

I specialise in all anxiety related disorders (including health anxiety,social phobia, generalised anxiety disorder, O.C.D, P.T.S.D, panic & other phobias), depression, insomnia & stress management.

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What is psychotherapy ?

Psychotherapy is a generic name given to a range of 'talking therapies' used for treating mental health and/or emotional problems.Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (C.B.T) is one example of a talking therapy.

For further information about C.B.T , see 'information for the public' at The British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapists website at www.babcp.org.uk.