Cognitive behavioural therapy is a way of talking about how you think about yourself, the world and other people, and how what you do affects your thoughts
If you’re living with anxiety, depression, stress, or intrusive thoughts, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can help you regain balance, confidence, and control.
At The Saxon Clinic in Milton Keynes, part of Circle Health Group, we provide private CBT sessions with experienced psychologists and therapists who specialise in helping people manage their thoughts and emotions more effectively.
Our CBT service is evidence-based, practical, and focused on long-term wellbeing. Sessions are personalised to your individual challenges, offering a structured way to understand your thinking patterns and develop lasting coping strategies.
With fast access to appointments, flexible scheduling, and compassionate, confidential care, The Saxon Clinic provides the ideal environment to begin your journey toward positive change.
Cognitive behavioural therapy is a talking therapy designed to help people understand how their thoughts, emotions and behaviours influence each other. By recognising and challenging negative thought patterns, CBT empowers you to respond to life’s difficulties in a calmer, more constructive way.
Unlike traditional counselling, which often explores your past in depth, CBT is solution focused. It looks at your current problems and teaches you skills to manage them day to day.
CBT is widely used to treat conditions such as:
It’s also beneficial for people experiencing insomnia, eating difficulties, or chronic pain where emotional stress plays a role.
At The Saxon Clinic, all CBT is delivered by qualified professionals accredited by the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) or Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), ensuring the highest standards of care.
While every therapy plan is personalised, most CBT programmes follow a clear structure with five key stages. These guide your progress and ensure your sessions are purposeful, measurable, and effective.
Your first sessions focus on understanding your symptoms, triggers, and how your difficulties impact daily life. Together with your therapist, you’ll agree on achievable goals - for example, reducing panic attacks, managing stress at work, or overcoming social anxiety.
This stage is about collaboration. You’ll build a therapeutic relationship based on trust, openness, and a shared understanding of what success looks like for you.
CBT helps you notice automatic thoughts – the inner voice that shapes how you interpret events. These might include 'I’m not good enough' or 'Something bad will happen.' Over time, these thoughts can reinforce anxiety or depression.
Through guided discussion and thought-tracking exercises, you’ll learn to identify these patterns, understand where they come from, and how they influence your emotions and behaviour.
Once you recognise negative thinking habits, your therapist will help you question and reframe them. You’ll explore the evidence behind your thoughts, testing whether they are realistic or distorted by emotion.
For instance, if you often think 'I always fail,' your therapist might help you identify times when you succeeded, gradually building more balanced and empowering beliefs.
CBT is practical. You’ll learn techniques to manage stress, regulate emotions, and respond differently to triggers. These might include relaxation methods, problem-solving strategies, or graded exposure (gradually facing feared situations).
Your therapist may give you short exercises to practise between sessions, helping you apply these new skills to everyday situations. Over time, this practice strengthens your confidence and self-awareness.
As therapy progresses, you’ll become increasingly independent in managing your thoughts and reactions. In the final stage, you’ll review your progress and create a plan to maintain the positive changes you’ve made.
You’ll leave CBT with a toolkit of strategies you can use long after therapy ends, enabling you to handle future challenges with resilience and clarity.
The duration of CBT varies depending on your goals and the complexity of your symptoms. Most people attend between 6 and 20 sessions, usually once a week.
Each session lasts around 50 minutes and builds on the previous one. Short-term CBT can be highly effective for mild or moderate anxiety and stress, while more complex issues may require a longer course of treatment.
At The Saxon Clinic, your therapist will regularly review your progress and adapt your sessions to ensure you’re moving towards your goals at a pace that feels comfortable.
CBT is suitable for people of all ages and backgrounds. It’s especially effective if you prefer a structured, practical approach to therapy that focuses on solutions rather than solely exploring past experiences.
You don’t need to have a diagnosed mental health condition to benefit. Many people use CBT to manage everyday stress, improve self-esteem, or develop better coping skills.
If you’re unsure whether CBT is right for you, your initial consultation at The Saxon Clinic is an opportunity to discuss your situation in detail. Your therapist will explain what to expect and help you decide if CBT is the best option or if another type of therapy might be more suitable.
The cost of private CBT therapy at The Saxon Clinic depends on the length and number of sessions, as well as the experience of your therapist.
You’ll always receive a clear, transparent quotation before you begin treatment.
If you have private medical insurance, CBT is often covered under mental health benefits (subject to your policy terms). For self-pay patients, Circle Health Group offers flexible payment options, including monthly instalments.
There are no hidden fees, and your therapist will discuss all costs and options during your initial consultation so you can plan confidently.
Your CBT sessions at The Saxon Clinic will take place in a private, comfortable consultation room.
During your first session, your therapist will get to know you, discussing what brought you to therapy, your main concerns, and what you’d like to achieve. Together, you’ll develop a clear treatment plan tailored to your goals.
Subsequent sessions are interactive and practical. You’ll explore your thoughts, emotions and behaviours, learning how to interrupt unhelpful cycles. Your therapist might suggest short exercises, reflective writing, or relaxation techniques to practise between sessions.
Throughout therapy, you’ll receive compassionate guidance, gentle challenge, and tools you can use immediately in your daily life. Most importantly, you’ll learn to become your own therapist, recognising triggers and managing difficulties with confidence long after treatment ends.
Patients across Buckinghamshire and beyond choose The Saxon Clinic for CBT because of our expertise, professionalism, and supportive environment.
As part of Circle Health Group, we offer:
We understand that beginning therapy can feel daunting. From your first contact, our friendly team will guide you through the process, answer your questions, and make sure you feel supported every step of the way.
Booking a consultation to discuss CBT with a therapist near you is quick, confidential and straightforward.
You can:
During your first meeting, your therapist will explain how CBT works, discuss your goals, and help you decide the best course of treatment for your needs.
With compassionate therapists, modern facilities, and the reassurance of being cared for by one of Milton Keynes’ leading private hospitals, The Saxon Clinic offers the ideal setting for evidence-based, empowering mental health treatment.
Reception: 01908 665533
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Sat: 8am-1pm
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