Wondering If CBT Can Help?
Psychologists are often trained in a range of therapeutic approaches to best support their clients.
At Inner Northern Psychology, our team members draw on a variety of evidence-based modalities, including Compassion Focused Therapy, Schema Therapy, and psychodynamic approaches. One approach we are all familiar with and trained in to some extent is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
But how do you know if CBT is right for you?
If you’ve been struggling with anxiety, low mood, overthinking, or unhelpful habits, you might be considering therapy—but unsure where to start. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is one of the most well-researched and widely used approaches for improving mental health. But is it the right fit for you?
What Is CBT?
CBT is a structured, short-to-medium-term therapy that focuses on the relationship between your thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. The core idea is simple but powerful: how you think affects how you feel and how you act. By identifying unhelpful thought patterns and behaviours, CBT helps you shift toward more realistic and constructive ones.
CBT Can Be Especially Helpful If You:
Experience anxiety, panic attacks, or worry excessively
Struggle with low mood or motivation
Often think in black-and-white or overly negative ways
Avoid situations or responsibilities due to fear or overwhelm
Want practical tools and strategies for day-to-day wellbeing
CBT doesn’t just explore problems—it actively helps you solve them through goal setting, behavioural experiments, and skill-building.
What Happens in a CBT Session?
A session of psychological therapy using CBT will involve aspects of broader counselling and more focused exploration of thoughts, feelings and behaviours. Your psychologist will help you:
Identify negative thinking traps (like catastrophising or mind-reading)
Learn to challenge unhelpful beliefs
Develop healthier coping behaviours
Use tools like thought records, activity scheduling, and exposure techniques
Sessions are collaborative and goal-oriented. You’ll often practice skills between sessions to build lasting change.
Is CBT the Best Fit for Me?
CBT is highly effective for common issues like depression, anxiety, phobias, and stress. It’s also a good match if you like structure, prefer working on current problems, or want evidence-based strategies.
However, if you’re dealing with deep-rooted relationship patterns, unresolved trauma, or intense emotional triggers, a longer-term therapy like schema therapy may also be helpful (and they can even be used together).
Take the Next Step
At Inner Northern Psychology, our team includes psychologists trained in CBT who tailor each session to your needs—whether you're looking to manage anxiety, boost mood, or improve your daily functioning.
Contact us to book an appointment and see if CBT is right for you.
