Cognitive Behaviour Therapy is a behavioural psychotherapy model that has been proven successful in treating many mental health issues in addition to chronic physical health conditions. CBT is based on the notion that our behaviours, feelings and emotions are guided by our perception of a given situation, our sense of self and the world.

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CBT focus on identifying dysfunctional thinking and behaviour patterns related to current issues. The effects these thoughts and behaviours have on our thoughts, emotions, feelings, physical experiences and behaviours. 

 

Our dysfunctional thoughts are seen as influencing the way we experience the world. Most people have a tendency to cope with problems in a way that offer short term relief, but long term will increase the severity of the issue at hand. As an example, avoiding situations that trigger anxiety, is considered to give short term relief, and long term to maintain or increase the anxiety in question.

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While CBT focus on the present, it will take the past into consideration whenever relevant. Moreover, dysfunctional thought patterns are seen as being  connected to the core beliefs we have about ourself such as “I am unlovable”, and to rules and assumptions we set up for ourselves as a way of coping.

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The CBT therapist will assist the client’s in identifying unhelpful behaviour and thinking patterns, and help developing and testing coping strategies. Client involvement is an important part of CBT. Besides in-session exercises the client will be given certain activities to do in-between sessions.

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Resources - Click on text to access link

 

Beck Institute: Get informed, BECK Cares 
Judith Beck Video on CBT and realistic thinking

American Psychological Association: What Is Cognitive Behaviour Therapy?

Beck Institute: Research on efficacy of CBT 

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How Bjørg works

 

Bjørg believes that unpleasant thoughts, emotions, feelings, physical experiences and behaviours are all as important and natural a part of our lives as happiness, joy, fulfilment and other enjoyable experiences. She believes that our issues often become overwhelming because we try to avoid these negative and unpleasant experiences.
 

Bjørg works according to the integrative approach that Judith Beck and the Beck faculty are teaching via The Beck Institute, which means that cognitive behavioural therapy will involve several CBT specific techniques in addition to parts of other techniques such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness, Positive Psychology and Relapse Prevention.

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The founder of the Beck Institute, Dr. Aaron Beck, was a pioneer of CBT in its original form. The institute is engaged in ongoing research, development and teachings of CBT.