Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) focuses on the connection between your thoughts, feelings and behaviours. When certain patterns of thinking take hold, they can begin to influence how you see yourself, how you approach challenges and how you respond to situations in everyday life.
CBT offers a way to gently explore these patterns and discover new ways of responding to them.
When you work with Bloom & Become Counselling, CBT isn’t used as a rigid formula. Instead, I may introduce elements of CBT naturally within your counselling sessions, helping you understand your thinking patterns and develop more balanced ways of responding to life’s challenges.
How CBT can help
You might begin to consider CBT therapy if you notice certain thoughts appearing again and again, especially when they begin to affect your confidence, decision-making or ability to move forward.
Many people find themselves caught in thoughts such as:
• “What if I fail?”
• “What if something goes wrong?”
• “What if I’m not good enough?”
Over time, these patterns can lead to increased anxiety, self-doubt or avoiding situations that once felt manageable.
CBT helps you gently challenge these thoughts and explore different perspectives. It’s not about forcing positivity or pretending difficult things don’t exist. Instead, it creates space for more balanced and compassionate ways of thinking.
For example, a thought like ‘what if I fail?’ might gradually become something more open and supportive, such as ‘what if I succeed?, or ‘what if I learn something from the experience?’.
These small shifts in perspective can begin to change how you approach challenges in everyday life.
Who CBT can be helpful for
CBT can support people of all ages, though I often find it particularly helpful when working with children, teenagers and young people who are beginning to notice negative thought patterns forming.
Through my experience working in schools, universities and private practice, I have supported many young people in understanding how their thoughts influence their emotions and behaviour.
CBT can be helpful if you find yourself struggling with:
• Persistent negative thinking
• Anxiety or constant ‘what if’ thoughts
• Phobias or specific fears
• Low confidence or self-doubt
• Feeling stuck in cycles of overthinking
A Flexible Approach to CBT
You may have heard that CBT is very structured or involves lots of exercises and homework.
Traditional CBT programmes are sometimes delivered over a short series of sessions and can follow a fairly structured format. While this approach works well for some people, it doesn’t suit everyone.
I believe CBT works best when it is used flexibly and alongside a person-centred approach.
Rather than following a strict programme, CBT techniques may be introduced gradually as your counselling develops. This means the focus remains on understanding your experiences, building trust and exploring what feels most helpful for you.
Sometimes this may also involve gently exploring where certain thinking patterns began. Understanding the experiences that shaped these thoughts can help you make sense of them and begin to approach them with greater compassion.
What CBT Sessions Are Like
In many traditional settings, CBT is offered as a short-term approach of around six sessions. When you work with Bloom & Become Counselling, therapy is always guided by your needs rather than a fixed structure.
CBT may become one part of your counselling journey, introduced at the points where it feels most helpful.
For some people, learning practical ways to challenge unhelpful thoughts can quickly bring a sense of clarity and relief. For others, it may sit alongside a deeper exploration of emotions, experiences and patterns that have developed over time.
I work in a collaborative and supportive way, helping you explore new ways of thinking without the pressure of rigid techniques or structured ‘homework’.
Considering CBT Counselling?
If you’ve noticed yourself becoming caught in cycles of negative thinking, anxiety or fear, CBT therapy can offer practical tools and new perspectives that help you move forward.
If you are looking for CBT therapy in Cambridge or searching for CBT counselling near you, you are welcome to get in touch to explore whether working with me feels right for you.
You can arrange a free 30-minute introductory call, giving you space to talk about what has brought you to counselling and ask any questions you may have before deciding on the next step.
Experience & Professional Background
I have been working with clients using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for around three years. CBT formed part of both my Level 4 counselling diploma and my Level 5 specialism, giving me a strong foundation in understanding how thoughts, feelings and behaviours are connected.
I have supported clients in a range of settings, including schools, universities and private practice. Through this work, I have helped many people, particularly teenagers and young adults, to better understand and reframe patterns of negative thinking that may be holding them back.
Alongside my training, I take a thoughtful and flexible approach to CBT, using it in a way that feels supportive, collaborative and tailored to you.
FAQs
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CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) is a form of talking therapy that explores the connection between your thoughts, feelings and behaviours. It helps you recognise patterns in your thinking and develop more balanced ways of responding to situations.
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CBT works by helping you notice unhelpful or negative thought patterns. Together, we will explore these thoughts and consider alternative perspectives that feel more balanced and supportive.
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CBT can help with challenges such as anxiety, phobias, negative thinking patterns, low confidence and persistent worry. It can be particularly helpful if you feel stuck in cycles of “what if” thinking.
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Yes. CBT is a form of talking therapy where you explore your thoughts, feelings and experiences in a safe and supportive space. Through conversation, we will begin to understand how certain thinking patterns may be affecting how you feel and respond.
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Traditional CBT programmes are sometimes offered over around six sessions. However, we use CBT more flexibly, integrating it into your counselling sessions rather than following a fixed structure.
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During a CBT session, we will explore the thoughts and feelings connected to situations in your life. Together we will look at how certain patterns of thinking may be influencing how you feel and how you respond.
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CBT focuses particularly on the relationship between thoughts, feelings and behaviours. While some therapies focus more on past experiences, CBT often looks at how thinking patterns affect your present-day experiences.
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Yes, CBT is commonly used to support people experiencing anxiety. We will explore patterns of worry together and work towards developing more balanced ways of responding to anxious thoughts.
Book a free introductory call
If you feel ready to explore counselling, you are welcome to book a free 30-minute consultation.
This is an opportunity to talk about what has brought you here, ask questions about CBT therapy and see whether working with Ruth feels like the right fit for you.
You can also find further information about session fees and availability on the pricing page.
