CBT for Depression

If you are experiencing persistent low mood and sadness that doesn’t seem to go away and is affecting your everyday life, you could be suffering from depression. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a highly effective type of psychotherapy to treat moderate to severe depression. It’s a tried and tested talking therapy designed to help you understand why you are stuck in negative thought patterns and show you how to take back control of your life and regain happiness. At KlearMinds, our experienced CBT therapists for depression are available for personal sessions in Central London and for online therapy.

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How Can CBT Help With Depression?

In order to understand how CBT for depression can help, it’s important to have a clear idea of what this therapy entails. Working with a trained CBT therapist, you will look at your thoughts, feelings and behaviours and how these can be directed toward more constructive behaviour patterns. CBT is usually a short-term, goal-orientated treatment that takes place over the course of several weeks or months. The NHS has increased the provision of access to this therapy in primary care, due to its effectiveness in helping people manage issues such as depression, anxiety, OCD and more.

If you are struggling with depression, CBT techniques can help you uncover unhealthy patterns of thought and identify how they may be affecting your mood, your beliefs about yourself and your general outlook on life. In addition to regular sessions with an experienced CBT therapist, you may also be given ‘homework’ to do so that you can practise replacing negative thoughts with positive ones in real time.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for depression will teach you how to identify all of the factors that are contributing to your difficulties. It will help you feel more empowered to begin making the positive changes needed to improve your life.

Cognitive therapy

The cognitive part of CBT involves identifying negative thought patterns. Depression sufferers often don’t realise that their thoughts are distorted. This type of therapy sheds light on how your thoughts are leading to negative feelings. A cognitive therapist will show you how to restructure your thought patterns, so you can look at your life, and interpret situations, in a more positive way.

Behavioural therapy

Negative feelings can taint your view of situations and interactions, which often leads you to behave in ways that make you feel even worse. CBT can help you identify alternative behaviours, so you don’t always default to a familiar but unhelpful behaviour. Learning new ways to respond to difficulties is one of the keys to a successful therapy outcome.

Is CBT an Effective Treatment for Depression?

CBT has been found to be an effective treatment for mild to moderate depression. It has also been proven to work well when combined with other treatment options including antidepressants or other medication. It’s worth bearing in mind that change is often gradual. Cognitive therapy for depression is not a quick fix cure – it requires a time commitment and active engagement with the experience to derive the full benefit.

Therapy Reviews

Overcome ME/CFS Long Covid & Build Confidence
…Thank you to KlearMinds for taking such care in matching me with the right therapist…. I started sessions when I was very unwell with Long Covid/ ME/CFS… Amanda was a huge part of my recovery… I’ve got my life back. I’ve just been for a run, am a Mum to my boys again and am loving life. The connection between my mental health and physical health were much more entwined than I had realised. Amanda helped me to… Read More
Jenny, Occupational Therapist from North England.
Flexible therapy that worked best for me
Had a very positive experience working with Kate and KlearMinds. Kate was very easy to talk to and gave me space to do sessions in the way that worked best for me and I came out of them feeling refreshed and motivated. I would definitely recommend Kate…. she was kind, thoughtful and always reliable, even when I was a bit awkward about finding times that suited my schedule. Read More
Professional, IT Sector
Career Coaching & Finding Loving Relationship
I started to see Maggie as a work coach… I was frustrated with my job… working myself into the ground… not getting any returns… I’m now in a job I love, and have just been promoted! I’m now much more confident… with who I am…. in a great relationship for almost two years now… I’ve recommended her to numerous friends since and I know she’s helped them massively too… She helped me realise…. Read More
Managing Director
Control Anxiety – Depression – Improve Relationships – Career Coaching
…therapy with Judy… has changed my life forever. I suffered daily from anxiety and.. negative thought[s].. holding me back..in my relationships… during lockdown..i was put at risk of redundancy.. I saw 3 different therapists before this, none of which really understood and helped me… Judy helped me understand things… control my anxiety… get back on track… I was blown away with her….Read More
Events Producer
Build Self-Confidence and Overcome Relationship Problems
….I had tried counselling before and thought it wasn’t for me. I now realise that finding the right counsellor makes all the difference. I went to see Maggie when I felt I was no longer able to cope and everything in my life was going wrong…. I cannot recommend Maggie enough. I feel in control, grounded and confident… capable of moving forward in my life. My sessions with her have not only helped me gain…. Read More
A very grateful Lawyer!
Overcoming Trauma, Depression, Parenting problems, Career Issues
I have seen Maggie for a short batch of sessions, on 4 occasions… I’ve needed help with…post-natal depression…childhood trauma…career…work/life balance…parenting struggles… the services she provides, have been absolutely transformational… Without fail, each time, Maggie has..quickly distilled..the root..issue..and given me highly..actionable..advice..I can…use..long past attending one to one sessions…. Read More
COO, London
Help With Bereavement & Depression
I was coping with a major bereavement and it felt like a crisis… Straight away Maggie was warm, kind and understanding… I didn’t want to be in therapy for a long time, I just wanted to get better, get on with my life… I cannot recommend Maggie highly enough to you. Whilst life still presents me with challenges I can cope with them as I feel so much stronger now… over six weeks… after each session I’d… Read More
TV Director, London
Overcoming Career Anxiety & Work Stress
I had never thought I was someone who would need counselling or therapy, as I had always been very strong. However when my career wasn’t going quite as I had planned it, I found I was becoming very negative and mentally spiralling out of control – in fact turning myself into a victim. Maggie was outstanding at providing me with what I needed, not as a “quick fix” but by giving me the tools to use whenever I may need… Read More
Corporate Finance Lawyer
Empower Yourself – Building Self Confidence
Before meeting with Maggie, I had been feeling demotivated, lacking focus and very lonely…. Counselling was something I only considered when I felt there was nothing I could do. Retrospectively, this was incorrect. Maggie gave me support and provided me with the encouragement to empower myself to change. I had always found it hard to deal with questions, getting defensive. Maggie’s questions…helped me… I now realise… Read More
Investment Banker
Discovering Enjoyable Career Success & Creating Loving Relationships
When I came to see Maggie I was very depressed, but also very cynical about the benefits of seeing a therapist… I was working as a sales director… which I thought was what I wanted, but I had very little confidence in my abilities… I also had very bad relationships… Maggie has helped me to understand why… and…to turn things around so that I am so much happier now than I have been in many, many, years and… Read More
Ex Sales Director
Ensuring You Get the Right Therapist
The following feedback is from a client who we provided with a therapist re-match: Just wanted to say, amazing pick with Kate. Very happy with the switch. I am loving my therapy and making progress already after 3 sessions. Read More
Entrepreneur, London
Overcoming Anxiety & Work Stress – Improving Career & Relationships
After a number of false starts with therapists, I can only say that I wish I had found Maggie sooner!… Over a period of 15 years I had seen multiple therapists and psychiatrists to address issues relating to anxiety, depression and workplace stress…. Maggie really helped me to elucidate and articulate the origins of deeply embedded patterns of negative and self defeating thinking, which proved essential… Read More
Dan, Civil Servant
Empower Yourself – Overcome Trauma & Build Self-Esteem
I came to Judy struggling to understand the impact sexual abuse that had taken place in my childhood had had on me. I knew there were things… weaving their way into how I formed relationships and the way I have behaved since I was a teenager, but I didn’t know what they were or how to deal with them. The hours I’ve spent working with Judy have been the most…liberating and empowering experience and I’ve learnt… Read More
Magazine Editor, London

Meet Our Experienced Therapists

Maggie Morrow Award Winning Therapist

Maggie Morrow is an award winning psychotherapist, an accomplished life coach and counsellor, and Director of KlearMinds. In 2007 she was awarded the BACP National Award for advancing the quality of therapy service provision to the highest standards in the UK.
Maggie’s experience spans over 20 years helping people overcome problems so they can enjoy more fulfilling and satisfying lives.

 

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Paul Glynn - Psychotherapist & Counsellor London
Paul Glynn holds over 30 years experience as a therapist and is KlearMinds Clinical Director. Paul offers a warm, pragmatic and interactive approach to help you understand and go beyond the difficulties you are facing. He is passionate about empowering clients to develop the tools that can help them to resolve stuckness and positively change repetitive, problematic behaviours.
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Nishah Dennison - Psychotherapist & Counsellor London
Nishah is a highly skilled therapist with over 25 years experience. She utilizes a wide range of therapies, including Coaching, CBT, Mindfulness and psychoeducation to help her clients. Her approach to working with clients is warm, interactive and practical, providing life skills and strategies that can be used effectively across all areas of life. Alongside seeing clients she expertly leads our therapy team to provide quality and excellence.
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Judy Harrison - Psychotherapist and Couples Therapist London
Judy holds over 25 years experience as a psychotherapist, with individuals and couples. She utilizes a wide range of therapies, including CBT and psychoeducation and has considerable experience in Career Coaching, Mindfulness Meditation and Mediation. Judy works proactively with clients to help them understand and address problematic situations and experiences and develop positive skills they can draw upon for life.
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Kate Thomlinson - Psychotherapist & Counsellor London
Kate is a highly skilled therapist. She has worked successfully in a variety of settings, including media, TV, journalism, law and higher education. She draws upon a broad range of therapeutic skills including existential, CBT, mindfulness and psychoeducation to enable clients to achieve the outcomes they want, in terms of professional and personal satisfaction and wellbeing.
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Amanda Reynolds - Psychotherapist & Counsellor London
Amanda is a highly experienced Advanced CBT and Integrative therapist with more than 8 years experience. She draws upon a wide range of therapies and works proactively to help clients understand, process and resolve their concerns and conflicts. Amanda can assist you to quickly identify problematic thoughts and behaviours which negatively impact your personal and professional well-being.
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Karen Gubb - Clinical Psychologist London.webp
Karen is a highly experienced psychologist, executive and career coach with over 15 years experience. Karen draws upon a variety of therapies and coaching skills, tailoring her approach, to best suit the learning style of each client. Karen works proactively. She can help you understand and constructively change problematic thoughts and patterns of behaviour so you can realise your personal goals.
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Tania Turner Counsellor and Couples Therapist in London
Tania is an experienced psychotherapist and couples counsellor. She is highly skilled in helping couples and individuals address a wide range of concerns. She has a warm, collaborative, insightful approach and uses a range of therapies including psychodynamic and mindfulness, to enable her clients to understand and resolve issues constructively.
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Annette is a highly experienced clinical psychologist with over 13 years experience working with individuals, couples and families. She is skilled in a range of different therapy approaches including CBT and mindfulness, which enables her to constructively tailor therapy sessions to meet your particular needs. Annette works empathically and collaboratively, providing you with useful insights and tools for problem solving.
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Rachel holds extensive experience in providing expert couples and individual therapy and coaching. She draws on a range of therapies including CBT, mindfulness and coaching in tailoring her approach to best suit your learning style. Rachel adopts a proactive, balanced and empathetic approach helping people understand problematic patterns of behaviour and communication.
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Amanda is a highly skilled therapist with over 13 years experience. She can show you ways to gain clarity regarding your concerns and better understand the factors that are holding you back. Amanda can help you gain an enhanced understanding of yourself and others. She can show you effective strategies for coping with difficulties and constructive ways you can progress positively, towards achieving your goals.
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Hundreds of clients have trusted KlearMinds to help them find a therapist. Our Clinical Directors review every enquiry to match you with an expert therapist who can help you resolve your concerns and achieve your goals. Simply complete our enquiry form or request a telephone call to find a therapist who is the best match.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What to expect from your therapy
Your therapist will encourage you to talk about your thoughts and feelings and what’s troubling you. Don’t worry if you find it hard to open up about your feelings. Your therapist will help you gain confidence with this as you go along.
  • What is the role of the therapist?
Your CBT therapist will serve more as a guide or adviser. Think of CBT as the difference between giving a man food and teaching him how to fish; your therapist will not solve your problems for you but will instead show you how to help deal with them yourself. This is a very useful skill that you will be able to apply to other problems that might arise in the future.
  • Will I need to practise CBT outside of sessions?
You will likely be assigned ‘homework’ to practise positive ways to improve your state of mind. For example, your therapist might encourage you to engage in positive activities to increase your enjoyment of life or make suggestions about how you can improve your sleep patterns. You might also be asked to keep a journal of your thoughts so behaviour patterns can be identified.
  • How many sessions will I need?
As a goal-orientated therapy, CBT is not something you will do every week for the rest of your life. The length of treatment will vary depending on your individual situation and can take anything from 8-24 sessions or more. Your therapist will help you decide when the therapy should end. This is usually a matter of weeks or months.
CBT – Putting it all together.
What are some strategies a CBT therapist might recommend?

Further Self-Help & Reading on CBT

How Can Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Help to Treat Depression?
8th September 2014

  If you are suffering from depression, you might want to consider enlisting the help of a cognitive behavioural therapist…

Read More
Positive and negative thinking crossword puzzle

5 techniques to help change negative thoughts of depression
25th March 2022

According to the mental health charity MIND, one in six people per week report experiencing a mental health problem such…

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CBT Therapy

CBT What’s It All About?
7th September 2021

Why do people keep talking about CBT Much is written and much is talked about CBT or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.…

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A Guide to Psychotherapy for Depression
9th January 2015

This reference guide is for people who want to learn more about depression and how psychotherapy can help to treat…

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The History of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
7th March 2022

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a popular psychological treatment which has been shown to be effective in treating common disorders…

Read More
Maggie Morrow Award Winning Therapist
Author: Maggie Morrow, Award Winning Psychotherapist, Counsellor & Life Coach
Last updated: 14th August 2023

Meet Our Experienced CBT Therapists

Paul Glynn - Psychotherapist & Counsellor London
Paul Glynn holds over 30 years experience as a therapist and is KlearMinds Clinical Director. Paul offers a warm, pragmatic and interactive approach to help you understand and go beyond the difficulties you are facing. He is passionate about empowering clients to develop the tools that can help them to resolve stuckness and positively change repetitive, problematic behaviours.
Judy Harrison - Psychotherapist and Couples Therapist London
Judy holds over 25 years experience as a psychotherapist, with individuals and couples. She utilizes a wide range of therapies, including CBT and psychoeducation and has considerable experience in Career Coaching, Mindfulness Meditation and Mediation. Judy works proactively with clients to help them understand and address problematic situations and experiences and develop positive skills they can draw upon for life.
Kate Thomlinson - Psychotherapist & Counsellor London
Kate is a highly skilled therapist. She has worked successfully in a variety of settings, including media, TV, journalism, law and higher education. She draws upon a broad range of therapeutic skills including existential, CBT, mindfulness and psychoeducation to enable clients to achieve the outcomes they want, in terms of professional and personal satisfaction and wellbeing.
Amanda Reynolds - Psychotherapist & Counsellor London
Amanda is a highly experienced Advanced CBT and Integrative therapist with more than 8 years experience. She draws upon a wide range of therapies and works proactively to help clients understand, process and resolve their concerns and conflicts. Amanda can assist you to quickly identify problematic thoughts and behaviours which negatively impact your personal and professional well-being.

Our London Therapy Locations

We help people across London and have therapy rooms in Central London & London City.

Quality Standards

Our hand-selected therapists have trained in the UK’s most respected counselling institutions. They hold a minimum of 8 and up to 30 years clinical experience within the NHS, private and/or charitable sectors in and around London. They are registered with: