Psychology  and  CBT

What to expect

A psychologist is someone who has had extensive training in the human mind, development and behaviour. In many countries, including the UK, you are only permitted to call yourself a psychologist under licence from the government. In the UK the Health Professions Council (HCPC), licences and regulates psychologists to ensure public safety. It is important to check that any psychologist that you see is appropriately qualified and regulated by visiting the HCPC website  www.hcpc-uk.org/check.  

Counselling Psychologists generally believe in working under what we call an ideographic, phenomenological and collaborative philosophy with empirically based interventions. Ok – we don´t always speak like that! Basically we put the individual and their personal experience and values first. We work together with clients using methods that have been tested over time and through scientific experiments to be the most effective tools to help people with their problems. One of the most rigorously tested and effective forms of therapy is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

To explain what CBT is I would first like to explain what it is not. It is not a magic wand. It is not a dogma. It is not a tool to rid oneself of all unpleasant emotions. It is neither a panacea nor the Holy Grail. The CBT therapist is not all-knowing and will not, or at least should not, take the position of a guru who plays games with your mind, holding back some great and privileged knowledge from you until you are ready to transcend to enlightenment.

CBT is a straightforward and largely psycho-educational form of therapy whose primary purpose is to empower clients with tools and strategies to help them understand some of the underlying factors that cause and maintain distress. The therapist may be an expert in the theory and methods of CBT but you are the expert in your life and experience. Together, therapist and client collaborate to work out what is wrong and find reasonable solutions through learning about the links between your thoughts, behaviours and emotions in response to current and to some extent past triggers.

It is important to remember that we are human and many of our responses have primal roots with powerful instincts and reflex-like reactions to threat and loss. The amazing development of the human brain over millions of years has given us both the gift and curse of abstract thought. Our ability to be creative is one that allows us to construct solutions and to survive. Yet sometimes, in our attempt to carry on, our vigilance uses the same creative powers of the mind to overestimate threat and the extent of our losses. When feeling overwhelmed or drained by our emotions it is sometimes difficult to find clarity and problem-solve effectively. This is where a psychologist can help you.