Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT is one of the most extensively researched psychological therapies, with strong evidence supporting its effectiveness in treating a wide range of mental health conditions. At its core, CBT is based on the idea that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours are interconnected, and that changing unhelpful patterns in one area can lead to significant improvements in others.
CBT is widely recommended in national and international treatment guidelines—including those from the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) – for disorders such as:
- Depression and low mood
- Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
- Panic Disorder
- Social Anxiety
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Insomnia
- Health Anxiety
- Low self-esteem and perfectionism
What to Expect in CBT at Chista Psychology:
CBT is goal-focused and time-limited. Therapy begins with a collaborative formulation: a shared understanding of the problem, its origins, and the processes maintaining it. You’ll learn to:
- Recognise and challenge unhelpful thought patterns (cognitive distortions)
- Build behavioural strategies to reduce avoidance and increase engagement with life
- Develop long-term tools for relapse prevention and emotional regulation
Each session may include structured exercises, between-session tasks (homework), and personalised worksheets.
Chista Psychology 