If you’re considering having online CBT, it’s normal to have a few reservations or doubts about trying something new. To help you with making the decision, we’ve rounded up some of the things people tend to feel uncertain about, and what some former ieso patients have said about their experiences.
CBT has proved to be a very effective treatment for people experiencing mental health difficulties including depression, anxiety, stress and PTSD. Most people find it helpful, and start feeling better relatively quickly. Patients have the same chance of getting better whether they have face-to-face or online treatment, according to the NHS.
If after beginning therapy you find that it’s not for you, there will be absolutely no pressure to continue.
Online CBT is designed to fit flexibly around patients’ family and work commitments. ieso offers appointments between 6am and 11pm every day, including at the weekends.
To get the most from the CBT process, however, it’s important that you’re able to commit the time to attend regular sessions, and also to complete your ‘homework’ in between.
CBT is very practical and straightforward, and focuses on equipping the patient with tools and techniques they can use to manage their problem right away in daily life.
You may have heard the word formulation being used, which probably sounds pretty scientific! But it’s just a way of simplifying the problems you’re experiencing. Our thoughts, emotions, behaviours and physical symptoms are all interconnected – and formulating how they’re linked helps you and the therapist to understand what needs to change for you to feel better. From there, you’ll agree together what you want to improve and set some goals you can work towards.
Online CBT works the same way as face-to-face CBT, except the patient and the therapist communicate by typing instead of talking – exactly like having a chat on Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp. Patients often find typing makes it easier to talk about personal or difficult subjects, and that writing helps them to reflect on things as they go. It’s a really collaborative process, with you and the therapist working as a team.
You won’t have to wait as long for online therapy as you might for in-person treatment. At ieso, matching patients with a therapist usually takes no longer than 10 working days, although during extremely busy periods it can take a little longer.
If you’re ready to get started, you can find out more about what you can expect during online CBT and begin your journey here.
CBT is designed to equip you to become your own therapist once you’ve finished treatment, continuing with what you’ve learned for the rest of your life. Preparing properly for this is a vital part of the process.
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