Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is based on learning theory. Since CBT has become a very popular therapeutic method several other methods have developed as part of CBT, for example Mindfulness and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

CBT- theory is based in how we have learnt thing in the past and how that has affected our ways of behaving, thinking and feeling. The method also focuses on learning new experiences as a way of moving forward. New experiences can be both cognitive (mental) new experiences ex new ways of processing information and draw conclusions from it, or new ways of seeing the world. It can also be new behaviors as seen through actions ex starting to speak more even though we have feared it before, start exercising or doing new activities like dating, being comfortable around spiders etc that we previously have avoided for several reasons.

The method of CBT can be very helpful if you want to focus on panic attacks, stress, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD) or phobias and avoidances. The method can also be helpful for other problem areas and when we initially meet we will discuss your goals and what method you would prefer and I will also give my suggestions. Since CBT is a method where change can happen quickly in certain areas I like to use some strategies from it combined with other methods as well. Some clients might need help to deal with their panic attacks through CBT strategies but later on they feel the need for an deeper understanding about certain things through other methods. Other clients feel that they want some specific tools for a specific problem and then they can continue working on things on their own.

Since CBT offers both strategies that can be helpful for specific problem but also a framework for a entire therapy process I find it helpful to implement in my work. Many clients find strategies that stem from CBT to be very helpful and as a therapist I like to see that quick progress can be made in specific areas if that’s what my clients request.

As in all the methods I work with we will start with talking about you individual goals and preferences for therapy method. I will give you suggestions based in what themes we’ll decide to work with. The first sessions we will explore goals and your life history, both when it comes to relations, work, interest, family history but also more practical parts of life that affects us such as daily routines.

Hi, my name is Anna Kindvall and I’m a Swedish psychologist based in Barcelona. I offer therapy and counselling in Swedish and English from my office 5 minutes from Plaça de Catalunya as well as online.