What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)?
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is a practical type of therapy that is focused on understanding beliefs that have evolved from our early experiences and any critical life events and how they may be impacting on current thoughts, feelings, physical sensations and behaviours.
This type of therapy aims to understand links between these and provide strategies to break unhelpful thinking patterns, manage emotions and make behavioural change to alleviate feelings of distress. You will be given a toolkit of coping strategies that you can use after you have completed therapy, CBT aims to help individuals to become their own therapist and continue to use these techniques in day to day life.
Therapy involves a collaborative approach between the therapist and individual accessing treatment and also requires commitment to practice exercises in between appointments. There is a large evidence base to support the efficacy of this treatment approach for depression and anxiety related difficulties. Sessions are usually every 1-2 weeks to maintain momentum and to allow for discussion of any difficulties, the number of sessions will depend on the presenting difficulty but are usually between 6-20 sessions.
What is yoga?
Yoga is an ancient practice with suspected roots in India and some regions of Africa, the word yoga means to "yoke" or "union". It involves physical postures (Asana), breathing practices (Pranayama), Meditation, Mantra (a word or phrase that may be used within meditation) and Mudras (hand seals/gestures) and lifestyle practices from it's sister science, Ayurveda. Ethics and codes (Yamas and Niyamas) are central to this practice, as a result, I work to ensure that your sessions are always non-judgemental, calming and inclusive.
Your classes will be tailored to your individual needs and may include a combination of these practices. If you have a chronic pain condition or persistent pain symptoms, or any other physical health condition, I would recommend a prior discussion with your GP or consultant before starting these sessions. I will also work with you to pace activity and adapt accordingly.
Yoga can also be extremely helpful with managing feelings of anxiety and low mood, as well as being beneficial for our physical health to enhance flexibility, improving sleep, enhance breathing and cardiovascular health. It can also be particularly helpful to enhance a feeling of safety and connection with our bodies following difficult or traumatic events.
