What Is CBT? How Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Helps with Anxiety, Depression & More

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is one of the most widely used and researched psychological therapies for anxiety, depression, and low mood but what actually happens in CBT sessions, and how does it work? In this episode of The Aspiring Psychologist Podcast, Clinical Psychologist Dr Marianne Trent is joined by CBT therapist Sahana to explore what CBT is, how CBT works, and what clients can expect. From breaking unhelpful thought cycles to graded behavioural experiments, you’ll discover how CBT helps people with anxiety, depression, social anxiety, and more. Whether you’re thinking about accessing CBT therapy, supporting someone else, or training as a psychologist, this conversation gives you a clear, compassionate understanding of CBT and why it’s such a practical and empowering approach. Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction: What CBT is and why it matters 01:08 – First steps: nerves, myths, and accessibility in CBT 02:31 – Making therapy accessible: online sessions, adaptations, and barriers 04:39 – Thoughts, feelings, behaviours: the CBT cycle explained 07:45 – When everyday worries become overwhelming 09:58 – What keeps problems going? The role of formulation 11:32 – Homework vs “between-session practice” — what clients can expect 13:22 – Graded exposure and behavioural experiments 16:13 – Case example: how CBT can help after relationship breakdown 20:01 – Problem lists, goals, and building awareness 23:06 – Balancing validation with change in CBT 25:17 – How many CBT sessions do people usually get? 27:56 – Collaboration, feedback, and challenging the ‘therapist as expert’ myth 30:56 – The role of safety-seeking behaviours vs adaptive coping 36:20 – Who CBT might not be the best fit for 38:47 – Other approaches and the stages of change 39:21 – Closing thoughts and next episode preview: training as a CBT therapist Links: 🫶 To support me by donating to help cover my costs for the free resources I provide click here: https://the-aspiring-psychologist.captivate.fm/support 📚 To check out The Clinical Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3jOplx0 📖 To check out The Aspiring Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3CP2N97 💡 To check out or join the aspiring psychologist membership for just £30 per month head to: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/membership-interested 🖥️ Check out my brand new short courses for aspiring psychologists and mental health professionals here: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/short-courses ✍️ Get your Supervision Shaping Tool now: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/supervision 📱Connect socially with Marianne and check out ways to work with her, including the Aspiring Psychologist Book, Clinical Psychologist book and The Aspiring Psychologist Membership on her Link tree: https://linktr.ee/drmariannetrent 💬 To join my free Facebook group and discuss your thoughts on this episode and more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/aspiringpsychologistcommunity Like, Comment, Subscribe & get involved: If you enjoy the podcast, please do subscribe and rate and review episodes. If you'd like to learn how to record and submit your own audio testimonial to be included in future shows head to: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/podcast and click the blue request info button at the top of the page. Hashtags: #CognitiveBehaviouralTherapy #CBTforAnxiety #CBTforDepression #PsychologyPodcast #MentalHealthSupport Mentioned in this episode: Sponsored by WriteUpp Tap to Pay This episode is sponsored by WriteUpp. Their Tap to Pay app turns your smartphone into a card reader, helping private practitioners take secure payments without additional hardware. Use code MARIANNE30 for a free 30-day trial and 30% off your first 6 months at this link: https://writeupp.com/?refid=142336