How CBT is evolving

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) has long been a cornerstone of talking therapies in the UK, helping people learn techniques to manage a wide array of mental health conditions. With new advances in digital health and neuroscience, however, CBT is evolving in exciting ways, especially for conditions such as ADHD that haven't traditionally responded well to treatment. Let’s explore how CBT is helping more and more people navigate their mental health struggles in 2024 and beyond and how you can learn this proven treatment at the University of Bolton.

The emergence of digital CBT

Across the UK, mental health services are increasingly utilising digital platforms to deliver easier access to mental health resources. Given that many patients have experienced excessively long waiting times and limited access to face-to-face services largely due to NHS resources being stretched, digital CBT is emerging as an alternative to traditional in-person therapy.

Many NHS services now offer online CBT programmes which allow users to engage with exercises, worksheets and video sessions from the comfort of their own home. This help to manage your own symptoms has been particularly invaluable since the COVID-19 pandemic when the demand on mental health services began to surge.

CBT exercises for ADHD

Traditional CBT was often too generalised, but recent developments have led to CBT exercises tailored to the specific needs of neurodiverse people, like those with ADHD. These exercises focus on improving executive function, with organisation, focus and emotional regulation all being things people with ADHD typically struggle with.

These exercises help teach techniques for breaking down tasks into manageable steps, creating visual schedules and learning to utilise positive reinforcement. People with ADHD may also find it useful to practise mindfulness and adaptive thinking exercises as a way to counter the feelings of stress and anxiety.

New findings in neuroscience

Studies on how the brain reacts to CBT have helped therapists to continually revise methods to address negative thinking patterns and behaviours. Research backed by neuroscience, for example, has led to an increase in using mindfulness in CBT, which aims to ground patients in their thoughts and feelings, allowing for self-aware management of the symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Focus on brain function as it relates to psychological conditions is slowly helping us realise why CBT works well for some but less so for others, which encourages therapists to adapt their sessions to the needs of their patients and ultimately deliver better treatment.

As we look ahead to the future, it looks as though AI-powered virtual therapy will continue to transform CBT. While not yet readily available, this technology is becoming more and more sophisticated - offering real-time support that may be used in conjunction with traditional therapy to ensure that treatment is an ongoing process and isn’t neglected.

For anyone considering studying psychology, the future of CBT is a promising area to specialise in. Want to get started on your journey today? Talk to us on 01204 903394 or email enquiries@bolton.ac.uk to experience #UniAsItShouldBe and learn more about the science of human psychology, and as importantly how you can help.