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