Therapy SERVICES
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
(CBT)
Living with anxiety and/or depression can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a highly effective, evidence-based treatment for anxiety-based problems and mood issues, helping countless people regain control over their lives.
As a Belfast-based psychologist offering online CBT services throughout Ireland and the UK, I strive to make high-quality, effective therapy available to anyone seeking support, regardless of their location.
What is CBT?
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a practical, structured form of psychotherapy that focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thought patterns and behaviours. It’s a collaborative process where we work together to understand how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours influence each other, ultimately helping you develop healthier ways of coping with anxiety.
CBT is grounded in the understanding that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours are interconnected. When we experience mental health difficulties, we often fall into patterns of unhelpful thinking and behaviour that can keep us feeling stuck. CBT helps individuals develop healthier patterns of thinking and behaviour to improve emotional wellbeing and quality of life.
CBT is an evidence-based therapy recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for a range of mental health conditions, particularly anxiety-related problems and depression.
CBT for anxiety and depression
CBT is one of the most effective treatments for anxiety disorders and depression. I provide specialist CBT for the following conditions:
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder
Phobias
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), including muscle dysmorphia
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Depression
How does CBT work?
CBT involves working collaboratively with a therapist to understand how thoughts, feelings, and behaviours interact. Therapy focuses on learning new skills to manage distress, break negative cycles, and achieve meaningful changes. The process typically involves:
Assessment: The first step involves a comprehensive assessment to understand your difficulties and how they impact your life.
Goal Setting: We will set clear, achievable goals that guide the therapy process.
Identifying Patterns: We work together to identify unhelpful thinking styles and behaviours that maintain the problem.
Learning New Techniques: You’ll learn practical techniques to address unhelpful thinking styles and problematic behaviours so that you can manage anxiety, and adopt healthier coping strategies.
Between-Session Tasks: CBT is an active therapy. You will be encouraged to practise new skills between sessions to maximise progress.
- After Therapy Plan: Before CBT therapy ends, you will develop a staying well plan / coping plan so that you can continue to implement the techniques you have learned moving forward.
CBT with Dr Terry Sergeant
I am a Belfast-based CBT therapist, and I am accredited by the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) and the Irish Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (IABCP). These are the lead organisations for CBT in the UK and Ireland.
I provide both online CBT and face-to-face CBT appointments to both individuals and couples.
I completed my initial CBT training at the Northern Ireland Centre for Trauma & Transformation, before undertaking a Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy at the Institute for Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King’s College London. I then undertook further training in Cognitive Behavioural Couples Therapy – a CBT approach to working with couples who are experiencing relationship distress.
I worked for seven years in several NHS clinics in London, providing CBT for anxiety and depression. I was employed as a CBT therapist at the Centre for Anxiety Disorders & Trauma, an NHS specialist service treating conditions such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other complex anxiety conditions.
As an experienced CBT therapist, I am currently employed at both Queen’s University Belfast and at King’s College London where I teach and supervise on the postgraduate CBT courses at these universities.
Find out if CBT therapy is right for you. Book a CBT therapy appointment today.
In-person CBT and Online CBT
I provide CBT sessions in-person at my practice in Belfast. However, the majority of my clients opt for online therapy, which offers several benefits:
Convenience: Access therapy from the comfort of your home, without travel time.
Accessibility: Ideal for individuals living in other parts of Northern Ireland, Ireland, the UK, or abroad.
Continuity of Care: Even if you relocate, you can continue therapy without disruption.
Effectiveness: Research shows that online CBT is as effective as in-person therapy for many mental health conditions.
Private CBT Therapist in Belfast & Online
While CBT is available on the NHS, waiting lists can be very long, often delaying access to much-needed support. Choosing private CBT allows you to access timely, personalised care. I am able to provide CBT for self-paying clients and those registered with the following private medical insurance companies: BUPA, AXA, Cigna, WPA, Aviva, and Vitality.
