Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a structured, collaborative approach, which aims to provide people with the necessary skills to address and move on from difficulties in their lives. CBT is an evidence based psychological therapy. Extensive research has found CBT to be the most effective form of treatment for specific mental health difficulties, and is therefore the recommended choice of treatment by the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE).

CBT focuses on how a person interprets an event or physical feeling. These thoughts (cognitions) can then effect how we behave. If our thoughts are negative, then this in turn results in an unpleasant feeling (emotion), causing a behaviour which reinforces that negative belief, thus keeping the vicious cycle going. In CBT the aim is to identify the patterns that maintain the negative cycle, introduce skills to challenge these patterns, achieve goals and secure long term recovery.