Senior Therapist: Ms Colette Kearns, Cognitive Behavioural Therapist

The Cognitive Behavioural Therapy service was originally established over 20 years ago. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy is a psychotherapeutic approach focussing on the relationship between our thoughts, mood, behaviours and physical symptoms that emerge in the context of past and present environmental influences.

It is based on the premise that it is not events themselves, but our view or interpretation of events, that cause distress. This approach involves identifying core beliefs, distorted thinking processes and avoidance behaviour that may act as a maintaining factor to psychological distress. As a treatment, it is active, somewhat directive, collaborative, present focussed, and the therapeutic relationship is used as a vehicle for change. Problem solving, mood diaries, identifying core beliefs and generating positive alternative beliefs are the main approaches used.

It has a good research base and has been shown to be effective for people with depression, anxiety related disorders, obsessive compulsive difficulties and phobias.

Sessions are usually one-to-one, but can be facilitated in groups where appropriate.