C ognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a psychotherapeutic approach that addresses unhelpful cognitions and behaviours that result in distress. It has been shown to be effective in the management of anxiety disorders, depression, eating disorders, chronic pain syndromes and personality disorders. Although there is a clear need for CBT services, access to them remains limited. GPs cannot be expected to fill this gap, but specific CBT techniques can help in the management of common conditions. In this paper, we will discuss several CBT techniques that a clinician can apply in 10-minute consultations with a case study to espouse how the techniques can be implemented in clinical practice. The RCGP curriculum and cognitive behavioural therapy Clinical module 3.10: Care of people with mental health problems requires GPs to:. Understand the roles and the power of emotions and their relevance in well-being and mental illness. Understand and empathise with people who are distressed and fully assess them (including risk) and offer appropriate support and management. Use communication skills that enable your patients who are distressed to feel comfortable enough to disclose their concerns Professional module 2.01: The GP consultation in practice requires GPs to:. Use the skills typically associated with good doctor-patient communication Nearly 15% of the UK population has some form of a diagnosable mental disorder, and a large number of these patients see their GP on a regular basis (Craig & Boardman, 1997). The role of GPs in the management of these patients has traditionally involved risk assessment, supportive counselling, use of pharmacological agents, and referral to counselling or the local psychiatry service. GPs generally have a strong therapeutic alliance with their patients, which is vital for effective cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT). Patients may be referred for formal CBT or other psychological therapy, however, some CBT principles can applied in routine consultations for conditions such as anxiety, depression, chronic pain syndromes and phobias