A Beginners Guide to CBT

Phillip Clare
May 14
2 min read

Updated: Jul 25

A Beginner’s Guide to CBT

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or CBT might sound like something from a psychology textbook, but it’s one of the most practical and widely used mental health tools available today. Whether you’re struggling with stress, anxiety, or feeling low, CBT can help you understand what’s going on and give you the tools to feel better.

Let’s take a look at what CBT is and why it works.

💡 What Is CBT?

At its core, CBT is about recognising the link between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. It helps you identify unhelpful thinking patterns and provides you with ways to challenge and change them.

For example:

Thought: “I’m going to fail this test.”
Feeling: Anxious, overwhelmed
Behaviour: Avoids studying or procrastinates

CBT helps break this cycle by teaching you how to reframe that thought, and as a result, improve how you feel and what you do.

🧠 How Does It Work?

CBT is typically short-term and goal-focused. In a session, you and your therapist might:

Identify negative thought patterns.
Learn how to challenge those thoughts.
Practice new behaviours or coping strategies.
Track your progress over time.

It’s an active, hands-on, and collaborative experience. You’re not just talking, you’re learning tools you can use outside of therapy, too.

⚙️ What Can CBT Help With?

CBT is highly effective for:

Anxiety and panic attacks
Exam stress
Low mood and depression
Sleep difficulties
Low self-esteem
Overthinking and worry
Phobias and perfectionism

It’s one of the most well-researched and trusted forms of therapy available, especially for young people.

📘 CBT in Everyday Life

The best part about CBT? You don’t need to be in a therapy session to use it. Many of its techniques can be used day-to-day, from journaling your thoughts to practising calming techniques to asking yourself, “Is there another way to see this?”

Even a few small mindset shifts can make a big difference over time.

Final Thought

CBT isn’t about ignoring your problems; it’s about giving you a toolkit to face them more clearly and confidently. At Counsel Clouds, we utilise CBT-informed audio sessions and one-on-one therapy to help students navigate life’s challenges with strength and self-awareness.