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CBT

COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY (CBT) IN PLYMOUTH

Practical, evidence-based support for anxiety, depression, stress and negative thinking.

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What is CBT?

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a structured, evidence-based talking therapy that helps you understand how your thoughts, emotions and behaviours interact.

The core principle is simple: the way we interpret situations affects how we feel and how we respond. When negative or unhelpful thinking patterns become habitual, they can maintain emotional distress and reinforce behaviours that keep you stuck.

 

CBT helps you to:

  • Recognise unhelpful thought patterns

  • Understand how thoughts influence emotions and actions

  • Develop more balanced and realistic perspectives

  • Build practical tools to manage challenges more effectively

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Rather than focusing only on the past, CBT emphasises what is happening now — and what you can change moving forward.

How CBT Works

CBT is collaborative and active. You work together with your therapist to identify patterns that may be maintaining anxiety, low mood, stress or self-doubt.

In sessions, you may:

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  • Explore specific situations and the thoughts linked to them

  • Test whether self-critical or catastrophic thoughts are accurate or helpful

  • Learn techniques to manage distress

  • Develop coping strategies you can apply in everyday life

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CBT is not simply about talking through problems. It is about learning skills you can continue to use long after therapy ends.

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What Can CBT Help With?

CBT is widely recommended in the UK and is commonly used to support:

  • Anxiety and panic

  • Depression and low mood

  • Stress and burnout

  • Low self-esteem

  • OCD and intrusive thoughts

  • Phobias

  • PTSD and trauma-related difficulties

  • Health anxiety

  • Sleep problems

  • Anger difficulties

  • Substance-related challenges

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In some cases, adapted forms such as trauma-focused CBT may be recommended.

What Are Sessions Like?

CBT SESSIONS ARE STRUCTURED BUT FLEXIBLE, TAILORED TO YOUR GOALS AND CURRENT DIFFICULTIES.

Therapy is typically short- to medium-term, with an agreed number of sessions depending on your needs.

A typical session may include:

  • Reviewing recent experiences

  • Identifying patterns in thinking and behaviour

  • Learning and practising practical strategies

  • Setting small, manageable goals between sessions

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Between sessions, you may be invited to reflect on patterns, practise new strategies, or complete short exercises. These are always agreed collaboratively and designed to feel relevant and manageable.

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Accessing CBT at Horizon

  • At Horizon Connect, CBT may be delivered:

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  • Directly by Alan Stokes

  • Independently by a therapist within our trusted local network

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  • You can choose to book directly with Alan or request an appointment with an independent practitioner.​

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  • Horizon provides a therapy access and referral service. Therapy is delivered either directly by Alan Stokes or independently by the practitioner you book with. Independent therapists manage their own appointments, fees and clinical responsibility.

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  • If you’re considering CBT and would like to take the next step, you can use the contact us now button:

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