Changing your mindset – CBT

Step One Charity branded t-shirts

What is CBT?

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a talking therapy that can help you manage your problems by changing the way you think and behave. It is most commonly used to treat anxiety and depression, but can be useful for other mental and physical health problems.

“There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so” – William Shakespeare

How CBT works

CBT is based on the concept that your thoughts, feelings, physical sensations and actions are interconnected, and that negative thoughts and feelings can trap you in a vicious cycle.

CBT aims to help you deal with overwhelming problems in a more positive way by breaking them down into smaller parts. You’re shown how to change these negative patterns to improve the way you feel.

Unlike some other talking treatments, CBT deals with your current problems, rather than focusing on issues from your past.

It looks for practical ways to improve your state of mind on a daily basis. – NHS England

CBT is used by our services at Step One Charity to help people challenge their negative thoughts. This is a very successful method to help people cope with poor mental health and change your mind-set.

Related articles

Lorna Collingwood-Burke

5 minutes with Lorna Collingwood-Burke

From training as a nurse and midwife in Bath to serving as Chief Nursing Officer for NHS Devon, Lorna Collingwood-Burke has dedicated her career to public service. Now, as Chair of Trustees at Step One, she reflects on leadership, collaboration and the importance of valuing staff.
Sue Sutherland OBE

Supporting Change: Sue Sutherland Reflects on Her Time as Chair

After eight years as Chair of Trustees at Step One Charity, Sue Sutherland has stepped down from the role. During her time as Chair, she helped guide the organisation through significant challenges and important developments.
People walking outdoors

Leave a Legacy of Support: Make a Will Week 2026

Make a Will Week is a chance for local people to get expert legal support when planning for the future. Instead of paying a solicitor’s fee, people are asked to make a donation to Step One Charity.
Field landscape with a sunset

Walking for a Cause: The Journey Behind the 300,000 Steps

Find out all about Rachael's experience during Every Step Counts 2025 and her journey of 300,000 steps!
Neurodiversity Training: More Than a Legal Obligation, It's a Key to Unlocking Talent

Neurodiversity Training: More Than a Legal Obligation, It’s a Key to Unlocking Talent

Neurodiversity training isn’t a tick-box exercise, it’s a strategic investment. When teams understand and embrace the natural differences in how people think, communicate, and process information, the benefits are profound. This blog explores why neurodiversity training is no longer optional and how to do it right.

Schizophrenia Awareness Day

National Schizophrenia Awareness Day held on 25th July, is a vital opportunity to raise awareness, challenge stigma, and ensure that people living with schizophrenia are seen for who they truly are. Today we're sharing this useful blog which includes information, stats, tips and support options for living with schizophrenia.

Your Nervous System at Work

When we think about stress at work, we often focus on external things, tight deadlines, a tough manager, endless meetings. But what if we zoomed in a little closer, inside our own bodies? Understanding our nervous systems can be a game-changer, not just for our wellbeing, but for how we relate to ourselves and others at work.

Let’s Talk About Mental Health and Wellbeing at Work

This blog series is part of our Wellbeing@Work programme created to help businesses and their people explore what mental wellbeing really means, how we talk about it, and what we can do to support one another at work.
Photo collage of wellbeing activities

My Week as an Intern at Step One

Hi, I’m Rosie. I’m a recent history graduate from the University of Exeter, and this week I completed an internship with Step One with their marketing and fundraising team. Here's how it went:
©️ Copyright 2024 – Step One. Registered Charity Number: 235434 Company Number 393477 in England. X Centre, Commercial Road, Exeter, EX2 4AD. Web Design by The Ambitions Agency