CBT & NLP
What are cognitive therapies and how do they work?
The two cognitive therapy models I work from are Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Neuro-linguistic-programming (NLP). Both NLP and CBT are approaches used to promote positive change in individuals. They are effective at alleviating emotional distress and behavioural problems. Cognitive techniques can be practised by the individual and are based on the philosophy that the content of our thoughts have a major influence on our emotions and behaviour. Through cognitive therapy, it is possible to learn ways to eradicate or manage the types of thoughts you have, which means that the state of mind they sustain, such as anxiety, can be resolved. CBT and NLP are solution-focused techniques that focus on the ‘here and now’. Unlike other talking treatments, the focus is not so much on the cause of your distress or symptoms in the past. Rather you will learn to improve your state of mind right now.
During NLP, CBT, OT and Hypnotherapy sessions in Edinburgh, you will be guided through a process of moving beyond bad habits, mental misconceptions and emotional difficulties related to past events. You will be able to enjoy a refreshed perspective and more importantly, will learn skills that you can go on to use in everyday life once therapy has ended.
CBT
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy focuses on how you think about a problem (cognitive) and what you do about it (behaviour). CBT can teach you how to recognise and change faulty thinking patterns. This doesn’t mean that you will always think positive thoughts. It is a way to gain control over racing repetitive thoughts, which feed anxiety and depression. CBT can help you make sense of overwhelming problems by breaking them down into achievable parts. CBT is the treatment of choice for anxiety, depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is the most researched and respected form of psychological therapy. The National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) strongly validates the effectiveness of CBT as a time limited and effective therapy. CBT requires that the therapist and client develop a collaborative relationship, which means that the client and therapist work together to plan strategies to deal with problems and work towards specific agreed therapeutic goals, within an agreed time-frame. CBT requires the client to practice strategies learnt during sessions.
NLP
NLP is an intimidating name for a collection of practical techniques. ‘Neuro’ means brain, ‘linguistic’ relates to how we use language both to communicate with others, and within our own brain and ‘programming’ relates to how we create and use patterns of behaviour in everyday life in order to get results. We know that we experience the world through our senses and that this information is translated into thoughts. How you use this internal language in your own brain directly affects your physiology, emotions and behaviour. People tend to develop habits and patterns of using internal language that have positive or negative effects on their emotions and behaviour. NLP therapy encourages new perspectives and options in thinking, giving you more choices about your behavior and emotions, enhancing your communication and relationships and generating lasting life skills.