Cognitive Behavioural
Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a framework from which a skilled Clinical Psychologist can create a robust treatment plan to address a range of issues with mental health.

CBT is the gold-standard psychotherapy for the treatment of anxiety disorders, mood disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and more.

The core principles of CBT have been employed to create CBT sub-types or variations, such as Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness-Based CBT (M-CBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Based Therapy (ACT), each with different emphases within the CBT framework.

At our clinic, you can expect psychological therapy that is evidence-based, personalised, and practical.

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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: What to Expect

Structured sessions. CBT typically has structure and is goal oriented. Your clinical psychologist will work with you to maintain the focus of your sessions on your specific problems and goals.
Problem-focused and practical. There is an emphasis on current challenges and practical means of addressing them. The past is discussed in an effort to understand the here-and-now, but the past is not the focus. No, you won’t be lying on a lounge!
Identifying and addressing unrealistic thoughts. This is a critical part of CBT. We want to learn about whether you have any unnecessarily negative patterns of thinking that can be shifted. Note, this is NOT to be confused with ‘positive thinking’. While we certainly want to focus on the positive, we also want to acknowledge that sometimes life has its negatives. Our goal is to work on realistic, evidence-based appraisals - the good, the bad, and the in-between.
Behavioural strategies and activities. At our Penrith Clinic, we usually have a heavy emphasis on this pillar of CBT. Change comes from doing things differently. A lot of our clients already recognise that their worries are disproportionate. While there is perhaps some benefit in spending session after session simply talking about that fact, there is almost certainly more benefit in changing your behaviour to test it out. You will absolutely get encouragement and guidance with this critical part of psychological therapy.
Homework. Our goal in session is to prepare you to do things differently between sessions. Otherwise, we are really just having a chat. It might be nice while talking, but nothing will change once you leave our rooms. Homework activities can include journalling, behavioural experiments, exposure exercises, relaxation exercises, structured problem-solving, and many more.
Collaborative and empowering. Psychological therapy is a two-way street. You are the expert in your life; we’re just chipping in with advice. You will be encouraged to contribute, with an end result that you will ideally become your own therapist capable of maintaining the progress you have made.
Time-limited. Due to its practical nature and focus on specific problems, CBT isn’t the type of psychological therapy that goes on indefinitely. We have specific goals, and improvement can be seen in a relatively short amount of time.
Evidence-based. We're not making this up as we go along! CBT is one of the most researched forms of therapy and it has a wealth of evidence supporting its effectiveness for a wide range of mental health issues.
Flexible and adaptable. CBT does not take a cookbook recipe approach. It is personalised to each individual’s needs and circumstances, and it’s application and effectiveness is consistently reviewed over the course of treatment.