If you’ve been struggling with anxiety, depression, stress, or 

low self-esteem, you may be thinking about getting professional 

support — but it can be hard to know where to start. You may 

have heard of counselling and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy 

(CBT), as they are often mentioned together. While they share 

some similarities, they work in slightly different ways. 

Understanding the difference can help you decide what feels 

right for you.

Let’s break it down in simple terms.

Counselling provides a safe and supportive space to talk about 

what’s been troubling you. It’s often more open-ended, allowing 

you to explore your feelings, experiences, and relationships at 

your own pace. The counsellor’s role is to listen, help you process what’s going on, and support you in finding your own understanding and way forward. It can be particularly helpful if you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure where to start.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), meanwhile, takes a more structured and practical approach, especially effective for managing anxiety, low mood, stress, and confidence issues. It focuses on the connection between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours and how these patterns can keep problems going. In CBT, we work together to identify unhelpful thought patterns, challenge them, and build new, more balanced ways of thinking. We also examine and challenge unhelpul behaviours, such as avoidance, rumination and low motivation, that could be maintaining certain thought patterns. It is also goal-focused and designed to give you tools you can use in everyday life to manage challenges.

Although CBT is predominantly focused on the here and now, we can explore earlier life experiences and consider how these may influence how you feel about yourself, how you relate to others and respond to day to day triggers. 

Both approaches can be incredibly supportive — it really depends on what you’re hoping to get from therapy. Counselling can be ideal if you want time to reflect and process your experiences, while CBT is often best suited if you’re looking for practical strategies and a solution-focused approach to help you make lasting changes.

No matter which path you choose, reaching out for help is a strong and positive step. You don’t have to face things on your own.

If you’re ready to make positive changes and learn practical tools to manage how you are feeling, I’d love to help.
Get in touch with me at CBT With Beth to arrange a free, no-pressure chat and find out how CBT could support you.