Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

If you are trying to cope with depression or anxiety you may find cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) helpful. CBT has been proven to be an effective treatment for depression and a variety of anxiety difficulties such as panic attacks, phobias, OCD, social and health anxiety. CBT is also helpful in recovery from a trauma such as a bad traffic accident, physical or sexual assault or a life threatening illness. Communication and relationship difficulties can also be improved by using a cognitive behavioural approach.

CBT helps us to understand that the way we think about things influences our mood and our behaviour. Unhelpful thinking styles and behaviours can stem from childhood or more recent events. Often, these can be difficult to manage independently and if left unaddressed can create issues for our mental health.

It’s a practical therapy and you will set some goals at the start of therapy. Your therapist will help you to explore, understand and where needed, adjust your thinking patterns, emotional reactions and behaviour to help you achieve those goals. For CBT to be effective, you will need to be prepared to carry out tasks between therapy sessions.

How much does it cost?

Each session costs £50.00. Sessions last for an hour and the first session may last a little longer.

Miriam Somerville

Miriam believes that a strong and positive partnership between client and therapist is an essential part of enabling people to recover from their difficulties. She loves to create a warm and open relationship where problems can be talked about without judgement or embarrassment. Before coming to Millburn, Miriam worked in health and social care for many years and retains an interest in people with communication difficulties and learning disabilities as well as mental health issues.

Miriam has a postgraduate diploma in CBT from the Belfast Cognitive Therapy Centre. She is accredited with both BACP and BABCP. Miriam keeps herself up to date by attending courses and reflective practice sessions. She also receives regular supervision from a qualified CBT therapist. Miriam has also trained in other therapeutic methods such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Compassion Focused Therapy.

Miriam is also available as a CBT supervisor for students undertaking CBT training or other CBT therapists.

Ruby Scally

Ruby enjoys working as a cognitive behavioural therapist in Millburn. Regardless of the mental health issues, Ruby believes that everyone is capable of improving and loves helping clients to do so. Her therapeutic approach creates a safe and judgement free environment for you to feel supported with improving your mental health. Ruby also works in health and social care with adults experiencing moderate to severe mental health difficulties. Ruby’s aim is to support you in reaching your therapy goals at a manageable and sustainable pace.

Ruby has a BSc Hons in Linguistics and Counselling and a diploma in CBT from the Belfast Cognitive Therapy Centre. She is an accredited member of BABCP, attends monthly supervision with a qualified CBT therapist, and engages in regular training and reflective practice.

What do clients who’ve had CBT think about it?

Here’s what some clients have said;-

“CBT is my lifeline. A healthy head makes for a healthy body.” (G.)

“I have found CBT particularly helpful in dealing with my problems because it focused on identifying and changing patterns of behaviour which had become established over time and which were no longer helpful to me in my daily life. In some cases my established patterns of behaviour were even injurious to my emotional and psychological wellbeing.”

“CBT also focuses on the thoughts or patterns of thought which keeps the old behaviours going. By helping me to change my old thought patterns I was able to then change those behaviours which were no longer useful or had become problematic in my life.”

“I have found this type of active and practical therapy extremely beneficial. It concentrates very much on each individual’s particular needs and is adapted to their own progress in therapy.” (J.)

“I found CBT extremely helpful. It was great to work through fears and reactions which were causing problems. My therapist helped me understand root causes by talking through core beliefs I held. We tested some of these and found that I could challenge them. I also got tools and ideas for coping. I feel much happier and relaxed now in situations that would have left me feeling upset. ” (C.)