Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP) is the approach used by Cognitive Behavioural Therapists/CBT Psychotherapists to the clinical psychotherapy that employ the methods of radical behaviourism and the regular use of verbal/vocal behaviour techniques. The approach is presented as a method which may be practiced in addition to use of  Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) as FAP focuses on in-session client-therapist interactions as the foundation for clinical change towards an improvement in personal lifestyle and wellbeing

The practice of Functional Analytic Psychotherapy can be applied to a range of many complex clinical problems such as relational behaviour around a post-traumatic stress disorder or a complex trauma in the past. In the field of trauma the basic concept is in the relationship where the post traumatic stress was created and thus the relationship between the experience and ones self is where the situation or memory is conditioned, dealt with and thus improved or removed in its acuteness

FAP (also known as Behavioural Activation) my be used for the treatment of a many of conditions which may include depression and a number of other common clinical problems. If you would like more information concerning FAP then please contact us for further information

Behavioural Activation Theory implies that much of which is clinically relevant to a natural human behaviour is the function of positive reinforcement, and positive reinforcement is reduced, non active or chronically low them the result my lead to depression. Our behavioural activation methods encourage patients to obtain and maintain the skills which will allow them to establish and keep contact with diverse range of sources and practices which will leads to a positive reinforcement. With these methods people  are able to create for themselves a life of meaning with value than can enable them purpose towards their goals

At CBT in the City are highly trained psychotherapists employ the practice of Behavioural Activation Therapy via CBT for the treatment of depression, stress and anxiety

REBT until recently was previously named Rational Therapy and Rational Emotive Therapy with the field of practising Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT). It is the practice of comprehensive, active-directive, philosophy and an empirically based psychotherapy which does focus on resolving personal emotional and behavioural problems and disturbances thus enabling the patient to proceed toward and happier more fulfilling lifestyle.

One of the core fundamentals of REBT is that many people and human beings in general do not get stressed and upset with regards to unfortunate adversities but its how they conduct their mind and views of reality via their language, evaluation beliefs, meaning and philosophies about the world and people other than themselves that creates the disturbance.

A popular REBT framework thus assumes that people have both an innate rational (meaning,  self- and social-helping and constructive thoughts) and irrational (meaning, self- and social-defeating and unhelpful thoughts) tendencies and leanings.  It is the skill of the therapist that helps point the individual to this self help.

REBT may be used for the treatment of anger, addiction (and withdrawal), anxiety, avoidance, clinical, hurt, guilt or shame, self-blame, self-pity, depression and for repetitive behaviours and behaviour tendencies like procrastination, over-compulsiveness

For more information regarding REBT please contact us for more information

IRT is the Cognitive Behavioural Treatment (CBT) for those who have experienced a situation in relation to a trauma or suffering from the repeat memories concerning a Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Imagery Re Scripting and Reprocessing Therapy has long been a element of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) although in more recent years there has been an increase in the use of imagery re scripting interventions in CBT, utilised for the majority of CBT treatments for people who suffer the distressing struggle against an intrusive imagery from within

Core Principles of IRRT:
Reduce and/or eliminate the PTSD symptoms in relation to your personal situation
Modify the patients trauma-related beliefs, which may be relating to an anger, fears, guilt or shame
Encourage the individuals capacity to control and improve self-nurture and calm
To promote personal development of adaptive schemas

CBT in the City provide focused treatments for patients suffering from trauma, stress, anxiety, bullying for more information contact us

ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) has acquired its name from the central message of accepting experiences which are outside of your personal control and beyond your means to enable any actions that may improve or better a situation or lifestyle

When using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) people can develop for themselves a better more meaningful living, while maintaining the ability to handle the stress and pains which everyone will experience at some time in there existence

Using Mindfulness based therapies your mind can taught the personal and physiological skills to deal with dark or difficult thought and feelings, making them less important and thus reducing the impact they have on your general living

ACT can help people see clearly in there mind and encourage what they truly believe are the important factors in life for a stable well being. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy can inspire and motive your mind, clearing your thoughts from negative to positive thinking methods which will cleanse, inspire and motivate ones self, understanding and the disciplines required to move forward to a healthy mental progression and personal self change

Mindfulness based ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) is different from the more traditional CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) as instead to challenging difficult, painful and distressing thoughts by challenging the problems. ACT employs a range of techniques which enables an individual to accept the thoughts and employ methods of Mindfulness, metaphors and language to reduce the concern and repetitive negative thought patterns

The basics of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Mindfulness based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) treatments have been developed to train the mind in ways of observing your life experience at this present moment without judgement or fear. Mindfulness based ACT helps us protect, defuse and distance ones thoughts, reactions and sensations

ACT is, at its core the psychological and mental suffering which is most usually caused by cognitive entanglement,  avoidance of an experience and the psychological stubbornness which may lead to a failure to take control and develop the required behavioural changes in accordance with core values

Core Principles of ACT:
Creating a natural fusion with your thoughts
Evaluation of each experience
Avoidance of your experience
Developing a reason giving towards your behaviour

Core Principles a healthy alternative is to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy:
Accept your personal reactions and be present
Building a path for change
Confidence to take action for self improvement

ACT may be used in the treatment of many problems including addictions, anxiety, chronic pain, diabetes management, psychosis, stress, smoking and problems workplace

For more information concerning Acceptance and Commitment Therapy contact Mindfulness and the City with CBT in the City

A good place to start is with the C, What is the feeling? The behaviour? The urge? And then look at what the upset is about?  In looking at the situation find the particular aspect that is particularly disturbing as here lies the opening to the internal world.

Example Situation-preparing for exams and has not started revising even though attempts have been made but to no avail

A-    The thought of working is too much
B-    I must not have this thought as I can’t bear the thought of working but if i do not work then i will be behind and be a failure
C-    Anxious, procrastinate by watching TV with my desk light left on with my books open ready for me to read and do the work but not carry out the task
I am useless

When finding the particular point at which the disturbance occurs then ask the following two questions;
1) what would you like to be different about the disturbance?
2) Is this a demand or a preference?

The answer to the questions then will show you to the B.  It is the B that leads to the C and if the desire is to change the emotional upset and the self defeating behaviour then the point of therapy is to address the B and change the level of conviction in the B from high to low.  In order to start this process then it is necessary to acknowledge the behavioural markers that show you when the B has been activated.  These markers are useful in showing us that activation of the B and can provide us the opportunity to activate other behaviours that act in line with the goal of therapy.

So in the above ABC the Target goal is to do some revision for the exam but the obstacle is the B not the A.  By allowing the B to be there whilst not engaging in the B then activate alternative behaviours in line with the Target goal.  The activation of the alternative behaviours will lead to developing conviction in helpful beliefs.

The A and the inference made are not unhealthy and so in the Example A, this is human and not a disturbance in itself as we all had and continue to have the same experience.  However it is the disturbance created by a rigid, low tolerance to ones own frustrations and self damning NATs, assumptions and unhelpful beliefs that cause an individual to not achieve a goal.  Not being able to live a life consistent with life values and purpose in life then this can cause an accumulative effect leading to becoming unwell.

Goals are informed by Life values, these are areas of life that are aspirational to inspire moving forward. So when looking back at the example ABC in the area of work, it is important to be a psychotherapist but the demanding thoughts held that i must not have the thoughts is holding back the individual and so is leading to a moving away from the Life’s value.  The Valued Direction in the the area of work is ‘to be good, successful and work hard inorder to be the best that one can be’.  The unhelpful B will not be helpful in moving forward in line with the Life’s direction.

To initiate the therapy it is important to notice the thought and acknowledge it but not engage in it by judging it and telling self how terrible the thought it. Remember comics and the conversation bubbles, by allowing the B to be there they are the bubbles.  If one tries to move the bubbles then this can cause distress.

The updated example:
Valued Direction-‘to be good, successful and work hard in order to be the best that one can be’
Target Goal- to pick up books and revise

A-The thought of working is too much
B-I must not have this thought as I can’t bear the thought of working but if (remember bubbles!) and the activate alternative behaviours
C-Anxious, stop rumination and switch off TV and walk  to  desk and read my books for one hour

I am useful
May lead to motivation and/or a sense of accomplishment.

CBT is a tradition of understanding the internal world, where the mind makes interpretations on imaginations, dreams, images, self made rules on expectations on one’s own behaviour, on others behaviour and on the world, and the standing within the world.

In looking at the internal world there is the need to assess Negative Automatic Thoughts (NATs), assumptions and beliefs about a particular aspect of the event that the individual is disturbed about.  The event is not just the situation but it is a particular point in the event which then triggers or activates the NATs, assumptions and /or unhelpful beliefs:

A -    An aspect of the event in which disturbance was activated
B -    NATs, assumptions and / or unhelpful beliefs about the disturbance
C -    The response to the B in emotion/behaviour/urge/thinking consequences

For more information visit www.cbtinthecity.com