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Cognitive and behavioural therapies

Bronze bust of a bearded man with curly hair, likely an ancient artefact, on a black background.

Emotion regulation

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The Stoics were right – emotional control is good for the soul

Both neuroscience and psychotherapy agree that you can change your mental framework as the Stoic Marcus Aurelius described

by István Darabán

A man stands next to a painting of Jesus carrying the cross, with reflections visible on a glass surface beside him.

Self-harm and suicide

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Why religious belief provides a real buffer against suicide risk

Under-recognised as a protective force against suicide, religious faith has multiple features that help to save lives

by David H Rosmarin

Bas-relief showing scenes of interrogation and torture, featuring restrained figures and text describing the use of plastic bags and water dunking to terrify victims.

Cognitive and behavioural therapies

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CBT is the ‘gold standard’, but is that just for white people?

CBT is supported by a strong evidence base. However, effective cultural adaptation of the therapy is a work in progress

by Shayla Love

Photo of a woman in a red top with colourful overlapping shadows on a wall displaying red, blue and yellow hues.

Psychotherapy

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Psychotherapy under the microscope: how exactly does it work?

To improve psychotherapy, researchers are looking beyond what happens in a session to learn exactly how change is achieved

by Ciarán O’Driscoll

Impressionist painting of a figure standing by the sea, observing a distant boat. The scene is enveloped in blue tones with a serene, misty atmosphere.

Cognitive and behavioural therapies

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The philosophical roots of CBT help explain its limitations

Not all psychological problems are thinking problems. Trying to solve them purely cognitively, with CBT, won’t help us mature

by Bradley Murray

Photo of a child in a striped shirt sitting on a pavement crying, with cars parked along the street in the background.

Trauma and PTSD

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PTSD looks different in young children – but it’s still treatable

When tantrums and other changes indicate post-traumatic dysfunction, specialised therapy could help children with PTSD

by Caitlin Hitchcock

Photo of two people sitting in a field overlooking a river and trees with one wearing a hat and the other in a denim jacket.

Self-harm and suicide

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When all looks bleak, hopebuilding strategies offer a lifeline

Hopelessness is a major link in the chain that leads to suicide. Strategies to nurture hope are key in the prevention toolkit

by Kathryn Gordon

Photo of a city street with two blurry people walking in foreground bright light flaring over the scene in the afternoon.

Cognitive and behavioural therapies

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Can a short behavioural boot camp really grind anxiety to dust?

It’s a bumpy ride and won’t probe the origins of past trauma. But intensive CBT can reduce debilitating anxiety in days

by Elizabeth Svoboda