CBT is based on the concept that your thoughts and beliefs (cognitions) affect your behaviour and feelings (behaviours), and that unhelpful thoughts and feelings can trap you in a vicious cycle.
CBT helps you to deal with overwhelming problems more positively and realistically by breaking them down into smaller, more digestible chunks. Your therapist will work closely with you to help you change unhelpful patterns to improve the way you feel and help you to cope with difficult situations.
Rather than focusing on issues from your past, CBT deals with your current problems and teaches you new skills that you can apply to your everyday life. The overall aim of CBT is keep using the new skills you learn in order to prevent your problems from having a negative impact on your life, even after you have completed treatment.