Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

CBT and ACT

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy known as CBT and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy known as ACT are both behavioural therapies.  ACT is known as ‘third wave’ CBT because it has a difference approach and focus on enabling changes that benefit our overall health and wellbeing.

In CBT the focus is on challenging thoughts and beliefs about the life events that confront us, so we work on how to interpret our thoughts differently to enable a wider perspective on the way we think.  This is based on the premise that how we think about the world will have an impact on how we behave and how we feel.  If we have a narrow perspective on things then we can inadvertently fall into recurring unhelpful habits that can easily keep us feeling stuck and unable to make beneficial changes.

In ACT the focus is on acceptance of the thoughts we are having and noticing that they are just thoughts and have no power over us per se but can become powerful determinants of how we behave and feel if we get locked into and fused to the stories they offer up.  ACT is essentially a mindfulness based therapy that is rooted in values based living.  In ACT we give clarity to our values establishing what’s important, what really matters and gives life meaning whilst also developing strategies of mindful awareness and psychological flexibility.  In doing so ACT helps you to accept the realities of life and commit to working with and through issues and difficulties towards a life that works for you and is guided by your values.

If you are interested in finding out more about how CBT might help you, just get in touch.