Common Questions about Face-to-Face CBT Therapy

How long will therapy last?

Length of therapy is dependent on the nature and chronicity of the problems AND on the level of motivation of the client to work hard at overcoming them.

However, on average, clients attend between 12 and 20 sessions of cognitive behaviour therapy. The length of therapy is quite variable, and the final decision regarding the length of therapy rests jointly with the client and his or her therapist. If a client is making progress, and feels that it would be beneficial to stay in Cognitive Therapy beyond twenty sessions, this is easily arranged. As is participating for a shorter number of sessions.

Some of our clients stay for only two or three sessions (making use of some of the self-help guides the Partnership uses to support self-change), while others choose to have sessions over the span of two or three years.

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How often are the sessions?

Typically, a therapy session lasts about 1 hour. This is the time that the client and therapist are meeting face-to-face in the office.

Clients also spend approximately 5 minutes filling out short questionnaires that help the therapist to know how they are feeling that day, and to get feedback on how well the sessions are progressing.

Most clients attend sessions once per week. Depending on the schedules of the client and therapist, these sessions can be held on the same day and time each week in a consistent fashion, or the session times may vary.

If a client’s problems warrant more frequent sessions, it is possible to meet with the therapist twice or more per week. Conversely, if a client feels that it is time to taper off the sessions, he or she may choose to schedule sessions every other week. Additionally, some clients choose to meet less frequently for financial reasons.

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What will happen in the sessions?

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is a very problem focused approach. This means that we will focus on analysing what is wrong and subsequently on teaching you how to fix these problems.

Initial Sessions

The first 2-3 sessions are taken up with finding out what created the problems and what keeps the problems going.

Questionnaires

The therapist will ask you to complete questionnaires to speed up this process of finding out what is wrong (technically called an assessment). Once this assessment is completed the therapist will discuss the results with you and suggest a course of action.

Specific Goals

This course of action will often involve identifying specific goals for therapy, selecting specific methods and strategies that are going to be used and will check if you are in agreement with this.

Sessions further along

During sessions further along in treatment the content will vary between the therapist explaining certain issues (I.E. how lack of activity increases depression); analysing with you in very structured way problematic situations, designing specific tasks designed to teach you to deal differently with problems etc.

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How much does it cost?

For information about cost, please see our Fees & Pricing page.

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Will my private health insurance cover therapy?

Yes, CBT Therapy is generally covered, but please check with your insurance company. Most companies require you to see a consultant psychiatrist first.

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Is CBT Therapy available on the NHS?

Yes, but waiting times vary from area to area. Your GP will advise you.

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Do you offer evening and weekend appointments?

Yes we do - please call for further details.

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Can I get CBT from the partnership if I live outside the UK?

Yes, we can offer CBT using our video conferencing facility

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Do you offer self-development courses on CBT?

Yes, we offer Mindfulness courses in both the UK and Portugal

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