The Role of 

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy 

in Longevity. 

 

 

Most healthcare is reactive. 

 

It waits for problems before treating them. 

 

A longevity model is different. 

 

 

 

 

Data alone doesn't change behaviour. Your thoughts, beliefs and habits do. 

 

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is often overlooked in longevity care, but it's essential for: 

 

 

 

- Adhering to new routines and health behaviours 

 

- Rewiring unhelpful thinking ("It's too late for me") 

 

- Building realistic, repeatable plans for diet, movement, and sleep 

 

- Managing stress, anxiety, depression, procrastination, and emotional eating 

 

- Overcoming black-and-white or perfectionist thinking that derails consistency 

 

 

 

CBT is the glue between diagnostics and lifestyle results. 

 

It helps you turn what you know into what you do-consistently. 

 

 

 

What Is CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy)?

 

CBT is a practical, evidence-based form of psychological talk therapy that helps people understand the connection between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. 

The core idea is simple but powerful: 

 

How you think affects how you feel and how you act. 

 

By identifying and challenging unhelpful thought patterns, you can create meaningful and lasting changes in your emotional wellbeing and behaviour.

 

 

Why Is CBT Effective?

 

CBT is one of the most researched forms of therapy and has been scientifically proven to be effective for a wide range of issues including anxiety, depression, stress, sleep difficulties, low self-esteem, and even chronic pain. 

It’s backed by decades of clinical studies and recommended as a first-line treatment by major health organisations around the world.

The reason CBT works is that it gives you structured tools and strategies to shift the mental habits that keep you stuck. It’s not just about talking — it’s about learning practical skills to improve how you cope, think, and live.

 

What Happens in a CBT Session?

 

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) sessions are structured, goal-oriented, and focused on practical change. Each session typically includes the following components:

 

 

1. Check-In & Mood Review

 

• You’ll begin by discussing how you’ve been feeling and do some very brief paper work to gather some data.

• I may ask about any significant events, mood changes, or stressors.

• This helps track progress and adjust the focus if needed.

 

 

2. Review of Homework or Practice Tasks

 

• CBT often involves exercises or reflections between sessions (called “homework”).

• We’ll go over what you tried, what worked, and where you got stuck.

• The goal is to apply tools in real-life situations, not just talk about them.

 

 

3. Agenda Setting

 

• We look at how you’re feeling and agree on what to focus on during the session.

• This ensures the session is purposeful and relevant to your goals.

 

 

 

4. Core Work

 

• This is where we explore individual and specific thoughts, beliefs, behaviours, or problems.

• We’ll work together to break down issues into manageable parts.

 

• Techniques may include:

 

• • Identifying, testing and challenging unhelpful thoughts

  • Behavioural experiments

  • Problem-solving strategies

  • Mindfulness or grounding techniqu

  • ​

5. Summarising & Feedback

 

• At the end, you’ll summarise what was covered and key takeaways.

• I may ask for feedback to make sure the session was helpful.

 

 

 

6. Planning Between-Session Tasks

 

• We’ll decide on one or two small tasks to try before the next session or if we even need another session.

 

 

CBT isn’t passive — it’s collaborative and skills-based. 

 

 

 

The focus is on empowering 

you to become your own 

therapist over time.