CBT and DBT | Tom Conlon - Organisational Consultant

I hold a QQI Level 9 Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy from IICP College in Dublin. I practise a form of CBT counselling called Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT). What is it? Here is a brief description taken from Dryden, W. (2009). Skills in Rational Emotive Therapy:

“REBT is one of the CBT, or Cognitive Behavioural Therapies, currently in vogue. REBT is based on an old idea attributed to Epictetus, a Roman and Stoic philosopher, who said that ‘Men are disturbed not by things, but by their rigid and extreme view of things’. Once they have disturbed themselves, they then try to get rid of their disturbed feelings in ways that ultimately serve to maintain their problems.

As an REBT Therapist, I will help you to identify, examine and change the rigid and extreme beliefs that I argue underpins your emotional problems and help you to develop alternative and non-extreme beliefs. I will also help you to examine the ways in which you have tried to help yourself that haven’t worked and encourage you to develop and practise more effective, durable strategies.

At the beginning of counselling, we will consider together your problems one at a time and I will teach you a framework which will help you to break down your problems one by one into their constituent parts. I will also teach you a variety of methods for examining and changing your rigid and extreme beliefs as well as a variety of methods to help you to consolidate and strengthen your alternative flexible and non-extreme beliefs. As therapy proceeds, I will help you to take increasing responsibility for using these methods and my ultimate aim is to help you to become your own therapist. As this happens, we will meet less frequently until you feel you can cope on your own.”

Here’s a reference from a client (Elena) regarding the CBT-based work we did together:

“I started working with Tom as I went through a difficult period due to work and the stress connected to the recent pandemic. I have found immediate relief and support; I was always confident that my problems were approached in a compassionate and professional manner. Using a CBT approach, which was completely new to me, Tom focused on the right issues from the start and I was positively surprised to see how quickly and effectively I recovered from the misery I found myself in. I only wish I contacted Tom earlier”.

I also offer Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). It is an evidence-based psychotherapy that treats personality disorders, interpersonal conflicts, Binge Eating Disorder/Bulimia etc.

I offer CBT and DBT appointments in Cork and Dublin – please contact me on tom@tomconlon.ie or on 086 368 8824