What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)?
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a highly effective, evidence-based approach that helps people recognise and change unhelpful patterns in their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. Whether you’re facing anxiety, low mood, stress, trauma, or emotional overwhelm, CBT provides a structured, practical way to understand what’s happening and take steps towards positive change.
CBT focuses on the here and now, helping you or your child develop skills and strategies you can use in everyday life. While we may explore relevant past experiences, the aim is to equip you with tools for the present and future - so you can feel more in control, confident, and resilient.
How we can help with CBT
I’m Natasha Ashworth (BA Hons, MSc, PG Dip), a fully qualified and BABCP-accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapist. I have extensive experience working in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and forensic settings, supporting children, young people, and adults with a wide range of mental health difficulties.
I specialise in helping individuals who may feel “hard to reach” - perhaps finding it difficult to open up, trust, or feel understood in traditional settings. My approach is compassionate, non-judgemental, and person-centred, blending CBT with DBT-informed strategies and compassion-focused therapy to meet each person’s unique needs.
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Whether you’re an adult seeking therapy for yourself, or a parent looking for support for your child, I provide a safe and supportive environment where we can work together at your pace.
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CBT for Adults
As adults, we often carry a lot - work pressures, relationship challenges, family responsibilities, and personal struggles. It’s easy to become stuck in cycles of negative thinking, self-criticism, or avoidance.
CBT helps by:
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Identifying unhelpful thought patterns and beliefs
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Understanding how these affect your emotions and actions
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Developing healthier, more balanced ways of thinking
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Building practical coping strategies for everyday challenges
Common difficulties CBT can help with include:
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Anxiety and panic attacks
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Depression and low mood
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Stress and burnout
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Low self-esteem
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Trauma and PTSD
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Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
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Phobias
CBT for Children and Young People
Growing up can be challenging. School pressures, friendships, family changes, and the digital world can all affect a young person’s mental health. For some children and teenagers, these pressures lead to anxiety, low mood, behavioural issues, or difficulty coping with big emotions.
In my work with children and young people, I adapt CBT techniques to suit their age, understanding, and personality. Sessions are engaging, interactive, and focused on building trust. We might use creative activities, visual aids, or real-life examples to help make the concepts relatable and practical.
CBT for children and young people can help with:
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Generalised anxiety and excessive worry
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Social anxiety
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Low mood and depression
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Anger and emotional regulation difficulties
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School refusal and performance anxiety
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Trauma recovery
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Building self-confidence and resilience
I also involve parents and carers where appropriate, offering guidance so you can support your child’s progress at home.
What to Expect from CBT Sessions
1. Understanding your goals – We’ll start by discussing what you’d like to achieve from therapy.
2. Identifying patterns – Together, we’ll explore how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours interact.
3. Developing strategies – You’ll learn practical tools to manage challenges and improve wellbeing.
4. Applying skills – You’ll practise these strategies in daily life, with support and feedback from me.
5. Reviewing progress – We’ll regularly reflect on what’s working, adjusting our approach as needed.
My Approach
I believe therapy should be collaborative and empowering. You are the expert on your own experiences - my role is to provide the structure, evidence-based techniques, and supportive space for you to explore, learn, and grow.
I’m committed to making therapy feel safe and accessible. Many people arrive feeling uncertain or apprehensive; together, we work at a pace that feels right, celebrating progress along the way.
Why CBT Works
Research consistently shows CBT to be one of the most effective forms of talking therapy for a range of mental health conditions. It’s recommended by the NHS and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for treating anxiety, depression, and more.
Because CBT is skills-based, the benefits often extend well beyond the sessions - helping you maintain positive changes and navigate future challenges with confidence.
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Get Started with CBT Today
If you or your child are struggling, it’s important to remember you don’t have to face it alone. CBT offers a structured, supportive way forward - and taking that first step could make all the difference.
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