Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based psychological therapy that clinicians widely use to help people understand and change unhelpful patterns of thinking and behaviour. Organisations such as NICE recommend CBT and clinicians commonly use it within the NHS, private healthcare, insurance and medico-legal settings. Many clinicians describe CBT as a practical, structured approach to therapy but at its core, it focuses on collaboration and personalisation. At PLE Health, our clinicians use CBT as a flexible framework, adapting it to each individual’s needs, experiences, and goals rather than applying a one-size-fits-all model. This article explains what CBT is, how CBT works, who CBT can help, and how clinicians apply trauma-focused CBT in clinical practice.
What is CBT?
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a form of talking therapy that focuses on the interaction between thoughts, emotions, physical sensations and behaviours.
CBT is based on the understanding that people often experience distress not because of situations themselves, but because of how they interpret those situations. Over time, patterns of unhelpful thinking and behaviour can develop, increasing anxiety, low mood or trauma-related symptoms.
CBT helps individuals to:
- Recognise unhelpful or distorted thinking patterns
- Understand how these thoughts affect emotions and behaviour
- Develop more balanced and realistic ways of thinking
- Learn practical coping strategies that support day-to-day functioning
CBT is typically present-focused and goal-oriented, while still recognising how past experiences influence current beliefs and responses.
How Does CBT Work?
CBT works by helping people understand the patterns that keep difficulties going. As our clinicians often explain, it is not usually a single thought or behaviour that causes distress, but a repeating cycle between thoughts, emotions, physical sensations, and actions.
In CBT, these patterns are explored collaboratively and at a pace that feels manageable for the client. Together, therapist and client develop a shared understanding (often referred to as a formulation) of how the difficulty operates in day-to-day life.
CBT is active and skills-based. Sessions commonly involve:
- Making sense of current difficulties in a clear, structured way
- Learning how certain thinking styles can intensify emotional distress
- Experimenting with small, practical changes to thoughts or behaviours
- Developing coping strategies that can be used outside the therapy room
Our clinicians emphasise that CBT is not about “positive thinking” or ignoring real problems. Instead, it focuses on developing more balanced, flexible ways of responding to challenges, particularly when existing strategies are no longer helping.
What Can CBT Help With?
CBT has strong evidence base and is recommended for a wide range of psychological difficulties. It is particularly effective where patterns of avoidance, unhelpful thinking, or heightened emotional responses are maintaining distress.
CBT is commonly used to support individuals experiencing:
- Depression and low mood
- Anxiety disorders (including panic, social anxiety and health anxiety)
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Phobias
- Stress and adjustment difficulties
- Chronic pain and long-term health conditions
At PLE Health, CBT is often delivered as part of an integrative treatment plan. Our clinicians draw on CBT principles while tailoring interventions to the individual’s presentation, goals, and wider context.
What Happens in a CBT Session?
CBT sessions are structured but supportive. A typical course of CBT may involve:
- Assessment and goal setting – understanding the client’s difficulties and what they want to achieve
- Formulation – developing a shared understanding of how difficulties are maintained
- Intervention – learning and practising CBT techniques and strategies
- Review and consolidation – reflecting on progress and supporting long-term change
Clients are encouraged to take an active role in therapy, building skills they can continue to use beyond the end of treatment.
Trauma-Focused CBT
Trauma-focused CBT is a specialised adaptation of CBT designed for individuals who have experienced traumatic events and are struggling with symptoms such as re-experiencing, avoidance, heightened threat responses, or emotional numbing.
Our clinicians describe trauma-focused CBT as a carefully paced approach that prioritises safety, stabilisation, and understanding trauma responses before directly processing traumatic memories where appropriate.
This approach may include:
- Education about how trauma affects the brain and nervous system
- Skills to manage overwhelming emotions and physiological responses
- Gradual, supported processing of traumatic memories
- Reducing avoidance while restoring a sense of control and agency
Trauma-focused CBT is always delivered with sensitivity to the individual’s readiness and circumstances. It is particularly relevant in clinical, insurance, and medico-legal contexts where trauma-related symptoms are impacting daily functioning.
Is CBT Right for Everyone?
CBT is highly effective for many people, but no single therapy is right for everyone. Some individuals may benefit from a different therapeutic approach or from CBT delivered alongside other models.
Our clinicians carefully assess suitability and adapt their approach based on each client’s needs, history and goals. This ensures therapy is clinically robust, ethical, and outcome-focused.
CBT at PLE Health
PLE Health has more than 25 years of experience delivering evidence-based psychological therapies, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, across clinical, insurance, and medico-legal settings.
Our CBT clinicians have extensive training and experience in supporting people with a wide range of mental health difficulties, including anxiety disorders, depression, and trauma-related conditions. They guide treatment using clinical formulation, outcome monitoring, and ethical best practices.
We understand that people seeking information about CBT may include clients considering therapy, professionals looking for trusted providers, or organisations in need of high-quality psychological services. Our approach addresses this diversity by combining clinical rigour with clarity and compassion.
If you would like to learn more about CBT therapy at PLE Health or discuss a referral, please contact our team.
This article is intended for general informational purposes and reflects the clinical perspectives of PLE Health practitioners. It does not replace individual psychological assessment or treatment.