Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

“Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a type of
talking therapy where a therapist helps you to change
how you think and act. It can treat many different…”.1

Umbrella

What may the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Cognitive Behavioral/Behaviour/Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
  • Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
  • Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)

Definition

What is cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)?

DotS the definition of CBT may vary. The (United Kingdom) NHS’s definition is:

“Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a type of talking therapy where a therapist helps you to change how you think and act. It can treat many different mental health problems”.2

The (United States) National Alliance on Mental Illness’ (NAMI) definition is:

“Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on exploring relationships among a person’s thoughts, feelings and behaviors. During CBT a therapist will actively work with a person to uncover unhealthy patterns of thought and how they may be causing self-destructive behaviors and beliefs”.3

On page one in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for Menopausal Symptoms the (British) Women’s Health Concern’s (WHC) definition is:

“Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on exploring relationships among a person’s thoughts, feelings and behaviors. During CBT a therapist will actively work with a person to uncover unhealthy patterns of thought and how they may be causing self-destructive behaviors and beliefs”.4

Treatment

What may CBT be used to treat?

In Psychotherapy: Popular Types of Psychotherapy – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy the NAMI:

“Studies of CBT have shown it to be an effective treatment for a wide variety of mental illnesses, including depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, eating disorders and schizophrenia. Individuals who undergo CBT show changes in brain activity, suggesting that this therapy actually improves your brain functioning as well”.5

In Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): What CBT Is For the NHS elaborate on:

“Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a recommended treatment for many mental health problems, such as:

  • Depression, including postnatal depression
  • Anxiety, including social anxiety, phobias and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Eating disorders, including anorexia and bulimia
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Personality disorders…

CBT can also help with other conditions including:

  • Sleep problems such as insomnia
  • Problems with alcohol and drugs
  • Long-term pain
  • Irritable bowel syndrome
  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)”.6

How

How does CBT work?

In Psychotherapy: Popular Types of Psychotherapy – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy the NAMI:

“The core principles of CBT are identifying negative or false beliefs and testing or restructuring them. Oftentimes someone being treated with CBT will have homework in between sessions where they practice replacing negative thoughts with with more realistic thoughts based on prior experiences or record their negative thoughts in a journal”.7

NICE Guideline, 07 November 2024

What do the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommend about CBT in their Menopause: Identification and Management?

On page 12 in Menopause: Identification and Management – Recommendations: 1.4 Discussing Management Options With People Aged 40 or Over [NICE Guideline Published: 12 November 2015 Last Updated: 07 November 2024] the NICE recommend:

“Evidence showed that cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) could be an option for some people with vasomotor symptoms, depressive symptoms or sleep problems. CBT could be used either alongside HRT or, for people for whom HRT is contraindicated or who prefer not to take it, instead of HRT. Several types of CBT (for example, online or group sessions) were found to be effective, but the evidence did not show that 1 option was better than another. The committee therefore recommended that the available options should be discussed with the person. They were also aware that some people needed information on what CBT involves. It was recognised that people have different preferences and needs and that these should be taken into account during these discussions (for example, reasonable adjustments may be needed for people with learning disabilities)”.8

Hot Flushes

Is CBT effective in managing hot flushes?

In Managing Your Symptoms: Managing Sleep Disturbance – Therapies and Supplements: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) the JH note:

“Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can help you manage hot flushes and night sweats by reducing the impact they have on you. CBT is also effective in treating sleep problems such as insomnia”.9

On page five in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for Menopause Symptoms: CBT for Hot Flushes the WHC elaborate on:

“CBT for hot flushes focuses on the links between physical symptoms, thoughts, feelings and behaviour. The way we think about symptoms in certain situations tends to affect the emotions we feel and what we do, and these reactions can in turn increase intensity of the hot flushes”.10

Health Care Provider

What if I think I could benefit from CBT?

If you would think you could benefit from CBT, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this. Together you can discuss your options and if required, agree on who may be the most appropriate health care provider to help you.

In Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Overview the (United States) Mayo Clinic elaborate on:

“You don’t need to have a mental health condition to benefit from CBT. CBT can be an effective way to learn how to better manage stressful life situations”.11

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?

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Links

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New or Updated

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  8. CBT Is An Effective Treatment for Many Mental Health Issues – But Here’s Why It May Not Suit Everyone
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  27. Harness the Power of Your Mind To Beat Hot Flushes: It’s the Symptom That Plagues So Many Menopausal Women — and Now Here’s A Drug-Free Way That’s Proven To Tackle It
  28. Hot Flashes: What Can I Do? [+ Video: What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Menopause?]
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  35. Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause
  36. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Menopause and Your Mental Wellbeing [+ Video: Menopause Only Affects You Physically!] [Other Languages and Formats]
  37. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Signs and Symptoms of Menopause [+ Video: Talking Menopause With Your GP] [Other Languages and Formats]
  38. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): – Supporting Someone Through the Menopause [+ Video: Men Don’t Need To Know About Menopause] [Other Languages and Formats]
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  62. Cognitive Behavioural TherapyMenopause: Identification and Management [NICE Guideline Published: 12 November 2015 Last Updated: 07 November 2024]
  63. Menopause: Identification and Management: NICE Guideline [NG23] Published: 12 November 2015 Last Updated: 07 November 2024
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Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Overview. Page Last Reviewed: 28 March 2025. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/talking-therapies-medicine-treatments/talking-therapies-and-counselling/cognitive-behavioural-therapy-cbt/overview/ Accessed: 28 April 2025
  2. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Overview. Page Last Reviewed: 28 March 2025. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/talking-therapies-medicine-treatments/talking-therapies-and-counselling/cognitive-behavioural-therapy-cbt/overview/ Accessed: 28 April 2025
  3. Psychotherapy: Popular Types of Psychotherapy – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. National Alliance on Mental Illness https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Treatment/Psychotherapy Accessed: 28 April 2025
  4. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for Menopausal Symptoms. Publication Date: February 2023:1. https://www.womens-health-concern.org/help-and-advice/factsheets/cognitive-behaviour-therapy-cbt-menopausal-symptoms/ Accessed: 28 April 2025
  5. Psychotherapy: Popular Types of Psychotherapy – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. National Alliance on Mental Illness https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Treatment/Psychotherapy Accessed: 28 April 2025
  6. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): What CBT Is For. Page Last Reviewed: 28 March 2025. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/talking-therapies-medicine-treatments/talking-therapies-and-counselling/cognitive-behavioural-therapy-cbt/overview/ Accessed: 28 April 2025
  7. Psychotherapy: Popular Types of Psychotherapy – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. National Alliance on Mental Illness https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Treatment/Psychotherapy Accessed: 28 April 2025
  8. Menopause: Identification and Management [NICE Guideline]: Recommendations – 1.4 Discussing Management Options With People Aged 40 or Over. Published: 12 November 2015. Last Updated: 07 November 2024]. Page 12. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng23/resources/menopause-identification-and-management-pdf-1837330217413 Accessed: 28 April 2025
  9. Managing Your Symptoms: Managing Sleep Disturbance – Therapies and Supplements: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Last Updated: 24 April 2025 | Last Reviewed: 22 April 2025. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/managing-your-symptoms Accessed: 28 April 2025
  10. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for Menopause Symptoms: CBT for Hot Flushes. Publication Date: February 2023:5. British Women’s Health Concern https://www.womens-health-concern.org/help-and-advice/factsheets/cognitive-behaviour-therapy-cbt-menopausal-symptoms/ Accessed: 28 April 2025
  11. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Overview. 26 February 2025. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cognitive-behavioral-therapy/about/pac-20384610 Accessed: 28 April 2025
Topic Last Updated: 28 April 2025 – Topic Last Reviewed: 28 April 2025

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