Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a talking therapy that can help you manage your problems by changing the way you think and behave.

CBT cannot remove your problems, but can help you manage them in a more positive way. It encourages you to examine how your actions can affect how you think and feel.

Talking and changing your behaviour can change how you think (cognitive) and what you do (behaviour). This can make you feel better about life.

  • 1 in 4 people will experience some kind of mental health problem in the course of a year

  • Mixed depression and anxiety is the most common mental health disorder in Britain

The Overcome Your Fears group consists of eight two hour sessions on a weekly basis. You will be invited to a one to one appointment with the facilitators prior to the group starting. There will be up to 15 group participants.

The sessions will involve talking about some of your own experiences and relating them to other group members; this is a key part of the therapy.

The group is based on the same format as one to one therapy with the following additional benefits:

  • Sharing your experiences with other people who can understand exactly what is happening to you

  • Support and encouragement from other members

  • Opportunity to hear how anxiety affects others Sharing helpful coping techniques with others

As with any CBT therapy, homework will be set after each session to help build on what you have learnt and generalise the skills into your life.

CBT works in the ‘here and now’ and works through current thoughts and feelings.

Is this for me?

You could benefit from this group if you are currently suffering with anxiety and are motivated to change.

Session Content

  • Session 1 - Introduction and Psychoeducation
  • Session 2 - The Brain and the Body
  • Session 3 - Challenging Anxious Thoughts
  • Session 4 - Overcoming Fear Using Exposure
  • Session 5 - Intolerance of Uncertainty and Imaginal Exposure
  • Session 6 - Problem Solving, Rules and Assumptions, and Behavioural Experiments
  • Session 7 - Fear of Bodily Sensations and Focus of Attention
  • Session 8 - Planning for the Future and Relapse Prevention

Feedback from group participants

“The group members really helped me and made me feel like I wasn’t alone.”

“I was apprehensive about joining a group at first but the facilitators made me feel at ease and the support from the other members was brilliant.”

“I have always been embarrassed about my anxiety but I felt so respected in the group and it was easier to share my story than I thought it would be.”

“The group really helped improve my confidence in my ability to cope.”

Confidentiality is required by the National Health Service Professional Code of Conduct. Therefore everything that is said within group therapy is kept confidential.

However, there are some limitations:

  • Referrals to the group are made by a GP or other medical professionals. Therefore at times the therapist may need to liaise with these people to ensure you receive the best possible service. Routine notes will be recorded on your medical records but only members of the health care team will have access to them.

  • As part of professional practice, the therapist will have to discuss their work with their supervisor.

  • The only information which cannot be kept confidential by law is something which indicates you or another person is at risk of harm or danger. This applies to issues of child safety and neglect and the Prevention of Terrorism Act 1976 which require us to report any terrorist activities.

If you wish to discuss the issue of confidentiality further, then feel free to speak to the therapist.

If you are interested in attending the group, please contact NHS Talking Therapies Team: 01772 643168

Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)

If you have some concerns, questions or need advice on our services, you can contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on 0800 234 6088 or email the PALS Team.

Feeling low and need someone to talk to?

Call 0800 915 4640

Monday to Friday 7pm to 11pm Saturday to Sunday 12pm to Midnight

Need urgent help?

Call 0800 953 0110 24 hours a day, seven days a week

This leaflet is available in alternative languages and formats upon request. Please speak to a member of our staff to arrange this.