Cognitive behavioural therapy works on the link between what you think, how you feel and what you do. When anxiety, low mood or intrusive worries take hold, they tend to run in loops — a thought triggers a feeling, the feeling drives a behaviour, and the behaviour reinforces the thought. CBT teaches you to notice those loops and change them.
It is a structured, practical approach. You and your therapist agree goals early on, sessions follow a clear focus, and you'll usually practise techniques between sessions — keeping a thought record, testing a prediction, gradually facing something you've been avoiding. It is among the most researched talking therapies and is recommended in NHS guidance for anxiety disorders, depression, panic, OCD and more.
A typical course runs somewhere between 6 and 20 sessions, so it's often chosen by people who want something time-limited with visible progress. CBT also translates well to video sessions, and many of the CBT therapists listed with ABCAP work online alongside their in-person practice.
ABCAP is not a regulatory body. Listing in the ABCAP directory is not an endorsement of a therapist's competence, fitness to practise, or conduct. We recommend verifying a therapist's qualifications and professional body membership directly before booking a session.
Courses are typically 6–20 weekly sessions depending on what you're working on — fewer for a specific fear or habit, more for longstanding depression or OCD. You'll agree a rough plan with your therapist at the start and review it as you go.
NHS talking-therapy services offer CBT free, but waiting lists in many areas run to months, and session numbers are capped. Going private means starting within days, choosing your therapist, and setting the pace — many people use private CBT while on an NHS waiting list.
Yes — research on video-delivered CBT shows outcomes comparable to in-person for most common problems. The structured, exercise-based format suits remote work well. Most listed therapists state whether they offer online, phone or face-to-face sessions on their profile.
Typically £50–£100 per session, with accredited and highly experienced therapists at the upper end. Ask about the expected number of sessions up front — a good CBT therapist will give you an honest estimate.