What Is CBT Like?

Also posted on Instagram: @buildingmomentumpsychotherapy

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is different depending on the therapist’s style and what you’re working on, but there are some common things to expect as a client.

Beginning Therapy

• Talk about why you’d like to start therapy
• Figure out what has led up to your current situation, problem or concern
• Tell the therapist what you hope to get out of therapy
• Focus on what can be done now to address the concern or problem

During Therapy

• Learn more about your situation, problem or concerns (example: anxiety, depression)
• Learn how CBT can address the problem
• Learn new strategies and skills
• Be listened to, supported, and validated
• Be challenged to expand your comfort zone and view situations in new ways
• Practice strategies and skills in sessions and between sessions, and keep track of progress, changes and struggles

Ending Therapy

• Reflect on the therapy process and what you’ve learned
• Make a plan for how to handle stressful, difficult situations in the future
• Plan how to manage relapses (going back to old ways of thinking/acting/coping) and get back on track
• Some clients occasionally check in with their therapists, or come back to review skills they’ve learned