Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
There is a readable and authoritative leaflet about this available on
http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mentalhealthinformation/therapies/cognitivebehaviouraltherapy.aspx
One of the insurance companies provides further information at:
hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html/CBT.html
CBT is a model of therapy much recommended these days as it has gained recognition from the medical bodies overseeing ‘treatment’. However, it is tending to be oversold as a convenient ‘answer’ to a range of problems and it is not a model able to address all things and everything. It is well suited for dealing with mild anxiety and depression. In those circumstances, there is even a computer-based system, called Beating the Blues, that has helped many people. It is an 8-session, self help treatment designed for use by patients with no previous computer experience. Unless you are registered with an employee assistance programme (EAP), through your employer, you may need to pay to access this scheme. Further information is available at:
and
http://www.thewellnessshop.co.uk/products/beatingtheblues/howtogetit.html
includes some useful information pages on depression and anxiety. In addition, a demonstration of an alternative programme, Depression Relief, can be found at:
http://www.thewellnessshop.co.uk/products/depressionrelief/
Unless managed by an experienced and broadly trained therapist, CBT is less well equipped, in my opinion, to address the mood swings arising life issues having complex origins, in particular, trauma.
My colleagues in the specialist trained division for CBT at www.babcp.com well disagree with me about this ‘limitation’, and it is the case that most members of that organisation will have an in-depth training, lasting not less than four years and, indeed, very often, additional training skills.
Even so, my advice here, in relation to complex life problems, is to seek a specialist or an integrative therapist. It may help to speak to me personally to take these enquiries further. An initial consultation, to discuss such questions, is free for clients with no prior experience of therapy.
An alternative would be to consult the National Charity, MIND, who offer invaluable, practical and impartial advice to you on: