Stress: a conversation with a CBT therapist and a counsellor

Stress is a part of life, but when it becomes overwhelming, it can affect our mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing.

We sat down with two mental health professionals — a CBT Therapist and a Counsellor — to explore how stress affects us and how different therapeutic approaches can help manage it.

How would you define stress from your perspective?

Liam (CBT): Stress is our body's natural response to perceived threats or pressures. From a CBT point of view, it’s often linked to our thoughts — how we interpret events can trigger the fight-or-flight response. For example, believing "I must not fail" can turn everyday challenges into overwhelming stress.

Liz (counsellor): I agree, and I'd add that stress is often tied to emotional and relational experiences. In counselling, we see stress as not just about current pressures but how unresolved past experiences, loss, or trauma shape how we respond today.

What are some common signs that someone might be struggling with stress?

Liz (counsellor): People may experience irritability, difficulty sleeping, withdrawal from others, or even physical symptoms like headaches or stomach issues. They might say they "just can’t switch off."

Liam (CBT): Yes, and we also see negative thinking patterns — catastrophising, black-and-white thinking, or self-criticism. Behaviourally, someone might avoid situations that trigger their stress, which can create a cycle of anxiety and helplessness.

How does CBT help someone dealing with stress?

Liam (CBT): CBT is structured and practical. We help clients identify thoughts and behaviours, then work on reviewing how true or how helpful they might be. We might use tools like thought records or behavioural experiments to challenge beliefs like "If I don’t do everything perfectly, I’m a failure."

Over time, this reduces emotional distress and builds resilience.

How might counselling approach stress differently?

Liz (counsellor): Counselling offers a space to explore the why behind the stress. We look at the emotional roots — maybe the pressure to succeed comes from early family dynamics. The process is less structured but deeply reflective. It's about understanding the client's story and helping them reconnect with their sense of agency and emotional strength.

Is CBT more structured, and counselling more exploratory?

Liam (CBT): Exactly. CBT is goal-oriented — we often work in 8–20 sessions with measurable outcomes. It's ideal for clients who want tools and strategies to cope now.

Liz (counsellor): And counselling is great when clients need time to process, heal from emotional wounds, or better understand themselves before applying strategies. That insight alone can reduce stress significantly.

Can someone benefit from both CBT and counselling?

Both: Absolutely.

Liz (counsellor): Sometimes clients start with counselling to process emotions, then move into CBT to develop tools.

Liam (CBT): Or vice versa. CBT can stabilise immediate symptoms, and counselling can then deepen the emotional work. The approaches are complementary, not competing.

What is one piece of advice you’d give to someone feeling overwhelmed right now?

Liam (CBT): Don’t believe everything you think. Thoughts like “I can’t cope” are common — but they’re not always true. Slow down, breathe, step back from those ideas, making conscious choices of how to respond.

Liz (counsellor): You don’t have to go through it alone. Talking to someone can be a powerful first step, whether it’s a friend or a professional. Stress is not a weakness — it’s a sign you care.