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Cognitive behavioural therapy Q&As

Published by Bupa's health information team, July 2009.

Answers to questions about cognitive behavioural therapy

This section contains answers to common questions about this topic. Questions have been suggested by health professionals, website feedback and requests via email.

 

Could you tell me more about the types of CBT you can do on your own?

There are a number of different types of CBT available and in different formats. They usually have exercises or homework for you to work through.

Explanation

The British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) outlines some of the computer-based CBT programmes that are available. There are two free online courses you can sign up to:

  • MoodGYM
    www.moodgym.anu.edu.au
  • Living life to the full
    www.livinglifetothefull.com

There are also a number of computer packages that can be purchased or accessed free:

  • Beating the blues
    www.ultrasis.com
  • Fear fighter
    www.fearfighter.com
  • Overcoming depression
    www.calipso.co.uk

A series of books recommended by the Royal College of Psychiatrists is published by Constable and Robinson. They are called 'Overcoming' and relate to the type of condition you have.

The mental health charity MIND suggests the following books that work on CBT principles or can help guide you through CBT treatment:

  • Mind over mood: a cognitive therapy treatment manual for clients. D Greenberger and CA Padesky, published by Guilford
  • Reinventing your life. JE Young and JS Klosko, published by Plume
  • The feeling good handbook. DD Burns, published by Penguin

Ask your GP for advice. If you're having CBT, ask the health professional who is treating you for more information.

Further information

Sources

  • Online CBT resources. British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies. www.babcp.com, accessed 28 January 2009
  • Cognitive behavioural therapy. Royal College of Psychiatrists. www.rcpsych.ac.uk, accessed 28 January 2009
  • Making sense of cognitive behaviour therapy. MIND. www.mind.org.uk, accessed 28 January 2009
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How confidential is CBT?

What you discuss in your session won't be discussed with other people unless they are directly involved in your treatment, or the person who is treating you is concerned about your own or other people's safety.

Explanation

Psychiatrists follow a code of medical practice to ensure your details are kept confidential and are only passed to people involved in your care. There is also a code of good practice which members of the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) follow when providing cognitive behavioural therapy as a treatment. This also ensures your details are kept confidential and are only passed to people involved in your care, usually with your consent.

If your therapist thinks that you're a danger to others, your details may be passed to other people to help provide your care. Ask the person who is treating you if you're concerned.

Before any treatment, ensure that your practitioner is affiliated to a specific organisation and follows a code of practice.

Further information

Sources

  • BABCP guidelines for good practice of behavioural and cognitive psychotherapy. British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies. www.babcp.com, accessed 28 January 2009
  • Good psychiatric practice: confidentiality and information sharing. Royal College of Psychiatrists. www.rcpsych.ac.uk, accessed 28 January 2009
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Can children have CBT?

Yes, they can.

Explanation

If your doctor thinks CBT is an appropriate treatment for the condition, children may be prescribed CBT. It may be particularly helpful for children and adolescents who have anxiety disorders or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Further information

  • British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP)
    0161 797 4484
    www.babcp.com
  • Royal College of Psychiatrists
    020 7235 2351
    wwww.rcpsych.ac.uk

Sources

  • O'Kearney RT, Anstey K, von Sanden C. Behavioural and cognitive behavioural therapy for obsessive compulsive disorder in children and adolescents. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2006, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD004856. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004856.pub2 www.cochrane.org
  • James AACJ, Soler A, Weatherall RRW. Cognitive behavioural therapy for anxiety disorders in children and adolescents. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2005, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD004690. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004690.pub2 www.cochrane.org
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Related topics

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This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by Bupa doctors. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.

Publication date: July 2009

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) factsheet

 

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