Cognitive behavioural therapy was pioneered by a psychologist called Dr Aaron T. Beck in the 1960’s and has been used in the treatment of many conditions including depression and anxiety. However, it can also be used in the treatment of drug and alcohol abuse.
CBT often works by confronting the negative thought process and putting in a system of positive thoughts. Using a selection of exercises the treatment aims to make the user think about the
thoughts that present themselves and ask why and how these beliefs have taken place in their head. Once they have looked at the negatives, the user will then look at ‘programming’ in positive thoughts and beliefs instead.
Whilst CBT is often done through the mental health teams and counselling services, it is now quite common for people to enter the practice on their own volition. There are now a great many of books available on this subject, ranging form Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Dummies to The Little CBT Workbook. These books walk the reader through a range of exercises that enable to use to choose
and develop a program that works best for them.
Words: Steph Warren
