What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Our CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) team is embedded into the Core CAMHS. After you’ve been seen for an assessment you may be referred to the CBT pathway.

CBT is a type of talking therapy that helps young people understand and change patterns in their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. It’s practical, structured, and focuses on what’s happening in your life right now and what you can do to move forward.

CBT teaches you how your thoughts influence how you feel and what you do, and how changing unhelpful thinking patterns can improve your mental health.

What can CBT help with?

CBT is known to be effective for many difficulties, including:

  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • Low mood and depression
  • Social anxiety
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Panic Generalised anxiety
  • Phobias  

Key features of CBT in CAMHS 

Understanding thoughts, feelings & behaviours

You’ll learn how these three areas link together and how unhelpful cycles can develop.

Spotting unhelpful thoughts

You’ll explore patterns in your thinking that may be unrealistic or unhelpful—and learn how to challenge them.

Developing practical skills

CBT gives you tools you can use outside sessions, such as:

  • Problem solving
  • Relaxation
  • Managing anxiety
  • Gradually facing difficult situations (exposure work)

Working towards goals

You and your therapist will set goals together, aiming for real, measurable progress.

Practice between sessions

You’ll usually have activities or tasks to try between sessions to help you build confidence in using your new skills.

Involving your family

Family members may be involved when it’s helpful—for support, understanding, or learning how to encourage your progress. 

How CBT works 

Automatic thoughts

These are fast, often negative thoughts that pop into your mind. CBT helps you recognise them.

Challenging and questioning thoughts

You’ll learn to examine whether these thoughts are accurate and explore other ways of looking at situations.

Developing balanced thinking

As you challenge old patterns, you can build more realistic and helpful ways of thinking that affect your emotions and behaviour.

Behavioural experiments

You’ll try out new behaviours to test your beliefs in real life—this helps reinforce the changes you’re making. Overall, CBT aims to help you feel more in control of your mental health and confident in handling challenges. 

What will your therapist do?

Therapists in CBT act a bit like coaches. Just like footballers, athletes, actors, dancers, or musicians use coaches to improve skills, CBT Therapists can help you build the tools you need to cope better. Your therapist will:

  • Help you understand what’s happening
  • Teach you new skills
  • Work with you to try out different strategies
  • Support you until you feel confident using these skills independently

The aim is for you to learn what you need to thrive without long‑term therapy. 

What happens in a CBT session? 

  • You’ll start with an assessment (60–90 minutes) to explore what’s going on and decide together whether CBT is a good fit.
  • If you go ahead with CBT, sessions usually last around 60 minutes. 
  • The number of sessions varies but is typically between 5 and 20.
  • You’ll discuss progress each week and practise new skills between sessions.
  • CBT isn’t meant to last forever—our goal is to help you feel able to manage things on your own.  

CBT in schools 

CAMHS also includes The Wellbeing and Emotional Support Teams in Schools (WEST). WEST provides lower‑intensity CBT support in school settings. CAMHS and WEST work together so you can move between services depending on what level of help you need. 

When you are referred for CBT you will meet your therapist who will be able to provide  more information about themselves and their CBT experience. As CBT is part of Core CAMHS, most people who work in CAMHS can provide a version of CBT to meet your needs. We also have people who work in CAMHS who have had extra, specialist CBT training. 

If you would like any further information please contact one of the team on the CAMHS numbers provided.