Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is based on the idea that the way we think about situations affects the way we feel and behave. For example, if you interpret a situation negatively, you will experience negative feelings and those bad feelings will lead you to behave in an unhelpful way. 

Additionally, CBT also considers how behaviour can affect thoughts and feelings. The premise is that by changing the way we think and / or behave in a situation, we can change the way we feel.

For this reason, the goals of CBT are to help you understand any negative thoughts patterns, learnt behaviours and habits you have, how they affect you and most importantly, what can be done to change them to help you feel better so you can live a happier or more satisfied life.

CBT is a pragmatic, active and collaborative treatment. It is also present-focused and while it may touch on the historical origins of your problems, CBT primarily focuses on your current problems and its solutions.