What is low intensity cognitive behavioural therapy?
LICBT is an evidence-based approach to support young people who are feeling worried, stressed or low. It teaches you simple ways to understand your thoughts, feelings and actions and helps you learn tools to feel better. The MindMate Support team offers short term low intensity cognitive behavioural therapy (LICBT) for mild to moderate emotional well-being difficulties.
What can LICBT help with?
There is lots of evidence to show that LICBT works to help overcome lots of difficulties such as:
Worrying a lot about school, friends, or the future.
Feeling nervous or panicky in certain situations (like tests or social events).
Avoiding things because of fear
Feeling sad or down most of the time.
Losing interest in things they used to enjoy.
Feeling tired or having trouble sleeping
Feeling overwhelmed by schoolwork or responsibilities.
Struggling to relax or switch off.
Getting headaches or stomach aches from worry
Putting themselves down.
Feeling “not good enough” compared to others.
Avoiding new things out of fear of failure.
When young people are experiencing any of these difficulties, they can get stuck in a cycle of negative thoughts, difficult feelings and unhelpful behaviours. The aim of LICBT is to help young people break this cycle which helps them to:
feel more in control of thoughts and emotions
cope better with everyday stuff
build confidence in handling challenges
Typically 6 to 8 sessions
Sessions are usually 40 minutes long
Can be online or face-to-face
Can be 1 to 1, Group or Parent Led
Focuses on learning and practicing skills (for example, managing worries, problem solving)
Helps young people achieve specific well-being goals
