Cognitive Behavioural Therapy | NHS Talking Therapies Kent & Medway

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a type of talking therapy where you work with a therapist to change how you think and act. CBT therapy is a common treatment for different mental health conditions.

Delivered by one of our expert therapists, either through guided self-help, digital CBT or traditional CBT therapy sessions, CBT helps you manage your feelings and improve your mental health.

At NHS Kent and Medway Talking Therapies, we understand that feeling anxious, overwhelmed and stressed can impact your daily life. It’s important to remember that you are not alone. We offer specialist CBT NHS services to support individuals living in Kent and the surrounding areas who are struggling with their mental health.

What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)?

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a highly practical, goal-oriented approach to talking therapy, used to deal with your current problems, rather than focusing on your past. It is a short-term treatment, which typically lasts from five to 20 sessions.

In a CBT session, you will talk through any negative feelings with a therapist, who will then consider the link between your thoughts, emotions and actions.

CBT therapy is based on the idea that how we think about certain situations can affect the way we feel and behave, combining two types of therapy to help you deal with these thoughts and behaviours:

Cognitive therapy, which examines the way you think
Behaviour therapy, which examines the things you do

What does CBT therapy treat?

CBT is used to treat men’s mental health and women’s mental health conditions, and is a recommended treatment for problems such as:

depression, including postnatal depression
anxiety and phobias
obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
bipolar disorders
personality disorders

Whilst CBT therapy supports individuals who feel overwhelmed or are feeling low because of a pre-existing mental health condition, it can also be used for other conditions to help you with living well and coping with long term illness, including:

sleep problems, like insomnia
problems with alcohol and drugs
long-term pain
irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)

How does CBT therapy work?

CBT therapy can help you cope with problems that may feel overwhelming by breaking them down into smaller, more manageable parts. It is designed to help you change negative thought patterns to improve the way you feel.

Successful CBT therapy can help you spot the unhelpful links between your thoughts and behaviour, and replace them with more balanced, realistic perspectives.

At NHS Kent and Medway Talking Therapies, our CBT therapy is delivered in three main ways:

Guided self-help

Based on CBT, guided self-help is used to help you focus on your personal goals. You will independently work through materials and learn new techniques in these counselling sessions to improve how you’re feeling.

Counselling sessions usually run every week and last up to 30 minutes. At the end of each session, you will agree on actions and goals with a psychological wellbeing therapist for you to complete before your next session to help you get the most out of the treatment.

Traditional CBT sessions

Traditional CBT therapy sessions start by agreeing on what you would like to talk through with one of our therapists. Then, you’ll work with your therapist to set tasks to complete outside of your weekly counselling sessions. You’ll practice the coping strategies you have learned in sessions in your own time, whilst monitoring your progress and continuing to develop your skills until you’re feeling more confident.

At the end of your CBT therapy treatment, you’ll work with a therapist to create a ‘staying well plan’ that can be used as a toolkit to support your future mental health and wellbeing.

Digital CBT

Digital CBT, sometimes known as cCBT or online CBT, is a type of CBT therapy delivered online or via a secure online platform. It is completely confidential and can be accessed seven days a week, at any time, to fit around your lifestyle.

You will be offered regular reviews with one of our therapists to check your progress, who can answer any questions you may have.

Digital CBT has been proven to be just as effective as face-to-face forms of therapy.

These forms of CBT therapy can be delivered in a group or individual face-to-face setting orover the phone, via online video call, using our typed text-based digital app or through a webinar.

Accessing CBT NHS services

Getting support for your mental health may seem daunting, but at NHS Kent and Medway Talking Therapies, our team are here to ensure accessing our CBT NHS services is straightforward.

You do not need a diagnosed mental health condition to access this service, but you must be registered with a GP in Kent and Medway, aged 17 and a half or over, and not be engaged with any other mental health service.

Completing a self-referral is the fastest way to access support, but we also accept GP/professional referrals. You can also call us on 0333 091 0414 to start your referral if you would prefer to talk to someone.

Once you have completed a referral, you will have an initial consultation, either via phone, video call or in-person, to discuss your symptoms, review your questionnaires and agree if CBT therapy is right for you.

If CBT is not suitable, we will direct you towards a better talking therapy for you, such as Counselling for Depression or Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR).

CBT Kent services across the region

At NHS Kent and Medway Talking Therapies, we offer CBT therapy to all residents in the local area, including in Ashford, Canterbury, Dartford, Medway, South Kent Coast, Swale, Thanet and West Kent.

Whether you are looking for mental health support for older adults or if you are living with a long term condition that leaves you feeling anxious, exhausted or lonely and is having an impact on your daily life, our CBT Medway services can help you deal with these feelings.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy FAQs

What is cognitive behavioural therapy?

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a practical talking therapy that helps you understand how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours affect one another. It focuses on identifying unhelpful patterns and developing healthier ways to cope with feeling anxious, stressed or low, or dealing with negative thoughts.

What does CBT therapy treat?

CBT therapy is commonly used to support people experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, panic attacks, OCD, phobias, PTSD, sleep problems, and low self-esteem. It can also help with managing physical health conditions, everyday challenges and difficult life situations.

Is CBT therapy right for me?

CBT therapy may be helpful if you’re struggling with persistent negative thoughts, emotions, or behaviours that are affecting your daily life. It’s a structured, goal-focused therapy, designed to give you practical tools and coping strategies you can use both during and after treatment.

How long does CBT last?

The length of CBT can vary depending on your needs and goals, but it’s designed to be a short-term treatment to support you in dealing with your mental health. Many people attend weekly sessions over several weeks or months, with short-term CBT often lasting between five and 20 sessions.

How do I access CBT NHS?

You can access CBT NHS services by completing a self-referral or through GP/professional referrals to NHS Kent and Medway Talking Therapies, who offer support to anyone aged 17 and a half or over who lives or works within Kent, Medway and the surrounding areas, and who aren’t already engaging with another mental health service.

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