CBT Skills

The Power of Analogies in CBT: Using the Spotlight Analogy to Manage Negative Thoughts

The Power of Analogies in CBT: Using the Spotlight Analogy to Manage Negative Thoughts

In this article, we explore the power of analogies in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), focusing on the spotlight analogy. This analogy helps us understand how our attention to intrusive thoughts magnifies their impact, and how shifting focus to the present moment using techniques from CBT, ACT, and mindfulness can reduce anxiety. We provide a practical example of how this approach helps us manage fear and worry, empowering us to live a more balanced and fulfilling life.

Pulling the Parachute - Navigating Emotional Free-fall with Proven Psychological Strategies

Pulling the Parachute - Navigating Emotional Free-fall with Proven Psychological Strategies

Discover effective emotional regulation in our blog post, "Pulling the Parachute: Navigating Emotional Free-fall with Proven Psychological Strategies." We explore how our evolutionary threat system, often triggered by modern stressors, can lead to intense physical and emotional responses.

Learn techniques from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to regain control and return to calm. Strategies like soothing rhythm breathing, compassion cultivation, and grounding exercises help manage emotional upheavals, promoting healthier behaviours and alignment with personal values. Embrace these methods to enhance your resilience and overall well-being.

Mastering Exam Stress. Transform Anxiety into Achievement

Mastering Exam Stress. Transform Anxiety into Achievement

Tackle exam stress head-on with our essential guide. Discover how to shift your mindset, use CBT techniques, mindfulness, and compassionate self-talk to turn exam anxiety into growth opportunities.

With 87% of UK students facing exam stress, our article provides effective strategies to reframe negative thoughts, embrace calm, and approach exams with newfound confidence.

Dive into practical advice, from battling pessimism to embracing nature's calm and the power of visualisation, designed to transform your exam experience into a journey of learning and self-discovery. Don't let stress dictate your exams—read on to empower your academic journey.

Was Shakespeare a secret CBT therapist specialising in the treatment of OCD??

Was Shakespeare a secret CBT therapist specialising in the treatment of OCD??

Discover how Shakespeare, the beloved bard and master of English, may have been an early adopter of cognitive behavioural therapy, and explore his pearls of wisdom for managing negative thinking patterns and OCD symptoms. "There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so." - Hamlet, Act 2, Scene 2.

Learning to surf the emotions when the seas are calm

Learning to surf the emotions when the seas are calm

Effective emotional regulation can lead to improved relationships, greater resilience in the face of adversity, and better overall mental and emotional well-being.

Here we explore the benefit of developing emotional regulation skills during times of stability and calmness to prepare ourselves for handling intense emotions during times of stress or crisis.

Perfectly imperfect - how to overcome the traps of perfectionism.

Perfectly imperfect - how to overcome the traps of perfectionism.

Perfectionism is a double-edged sword. On one side, it can push us to strive for greatness, propelling us forward to reach our goals and organise our lives. On the other side, it can drain us emotionally and become destructive.

Here we look at the types of perfectionism, to look out for and explore the best treatments for addressing them.

How to start a gratitude journal.

How to start a gratitude journal.

People who use a gratitude journal report experiencing a range of benefits, including reduced stress and anxiety, better sleep, increased resilience, and improved relationships.

Here we explore the benefits and the simple steps of starting one as a way of cultivating a positive mindset.

Believe in your infinite potential

Believe in your infinite potential

When we embrace the idea that we have limitless potential, we open ourselves up to the possibility of achieving our goals and living more in line with our personal values.

In this article we look at how we can unlock our full potential by challenging and reframing self-limiting beliefs. We explore evidence based therapy and skills to break free from self-limiting beliefs and open ultimately start to open up a world of possibilities!

How to practice Mindful Breathing

How to practice Mindful Breathing

By focusing on the breath, we can develop greater self-awareness, reduce stress & anxiety, improve cognitive functioning, as well as cultivate a sense of calm and presence in our daily life. Mindful breathing is often used in therapy, and included within approaches such as ACT, CBT, and CFT, as a tool to help reduce psychological distress and emotional regulation.

Things are not always black and white - how to change tricky thinking styles using CBT techniques

Things are not always black and white - how to change tricky thinking styles using CBT techniques

Black-and-white thinking, also known as "all-or-nothing" or "dichotomous" thinking, is a type of cognitive distortion where a person views situations, people, or events as either completely good or completely bad, with no room for shades of grey or complexity.

CBT therapy is a highly effective type of therapy to help shift this type of unhelpful thinking. CBT is an effective therapeutic approach that can help people change their extreme and black-and-white thinking patterns by challenging and replacing their negative or distorted thoughts with more realistic and flexible ones.