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Tinnitus E-Programme

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CBT for Tinnitus for Tinnitus UK Supporters

Neuroscience & CBT Protocol Developed for Severe & Very Severe Tinnitus, Stress and Anxiety


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Making use of the collaborative research between neuroscience and psychotherapy, has brought about 100% potential for experiential change through putting natural brain plasticity to work FOR rather than against our patients, thereby revolutionising clinical practice in psychotherapy.

The CBT for Tinnitus E-Programme brings these cutting edge practices to anyone suffering because of tinnitus.

Debbie Featherstone MSc
Hearing Therapist, Psychotherapist & CBT Specialist in Tinnitus
CBT for Tinnitus E-Programme
Provided by dual qualified Hearing Therapist & Psychotherapist Debbie Featherstone

There are around 86 billion neurons in the brain, organised to fire in patterns (neural pathways) that produce what we experience, moment by moment. Their purpose is to process information and it's the processed information that gives us what we experience.

Neurons that fire together, wire together through repetition, resulting in processed information repeating over and over. This all works to our benefit until what we experience is unpleasant.

Firing patterns of neurons (neural pathways) don't differentiate between an actual experience and an imagined experience, so when we imagine a pleasant experience, the patterns produced are the same as if we were having the actual pleasant experience.

The downside is that firing patterns (neural pathways) work in the same way when we have - or imagine - an unpleasant experience. Something called "Cognitive Bias" kicks in - for good reason, as our brains are wired first and foremost for survival. What we know we know – we cannot “un-know” it. Whatever is going on around us we view through our own window of Cognitive Bias. Consciously and unconsciously, we persistently seek out that which confirms what we know (Confirmation Bias), ignoring to the point of not even noticing there may be alternatives. This is how we end up going down the rabbit hole of suffering, and we perpetuate suffering through multiple means, one of the most common being the repeated use of Cognitive Distortions, for example:

  • Predicting the future
  • All or nothing thinking
  • Maximising the negative, minimising the positive
  • Emotional reasoning
  • Self and other blaming  

Fortunately, brain plasticity (neuroplasticity) gives us the ability to change old firing patterns in to NEW firing patterns of neurons. The more FLEXIBLE we allow our mind (mindset) to be, the more EFFECTIVELY we make use of brain plasticity, precisely what CBT4T enables you to do.   

CBT4T (the new name for the CBT for Tinnitus E-Programme from October 2023) is a neuroscience-informed CBT process for severe and very severe stress and/or anxiety experienced because of tinnitus. The Neuroscience & CBT Protocol developed for CBT4T enables the user to separate having tinnitus from being distressed by tinnitus

The Protocol used is unique to this course:
  • There is a reason for everything used in the course being not only what it is but where it is in the process
  • Part 1 of the Protocol changes the nervous system from being DYSREGULATED to REGULATED
  • Using the bespoke tools unique to this course, Part 2 of the Protocol first DISRUPTS old embedded neural pathways > GROWS new neural pathways > STRENGTHENS the new neural pathways
  • The Protocol combines polyvagal informed neuro-psychotherapy, associated neuroscience, behavioural and cognitive therapy with a focus on third wave CBT
  • Third wave CBT enables psychological flexibility, develops and deepens a recovery-oriented perspective. This is wholly different to 2nd wave CBT that is problem-oriented and thought-focused

Snapshot of how CBT4T brings about the necessary changes
Read more in the CBT4T Bulletin
Behavioural or Cognitive
How much change can be expected?
Outcomes are consistent, reliable and now this process has been used for two years, have proven to be sustainable:

Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI) Category changes following completion of the 12 stage CBT for Tinnitus E-Programme

Average change by TFI value:
  • Cat 5 pre-course: 84.9% > 29.9% (Cat 2 post-course)
  • Cat 4 pre-course: 64.8% > 20.8% (Cat 2 post-course)
  • Cat 3 pre-course: 45.6% > 19.0% (Cat 2 post course)
Figures published 22 May 2022
CBT for Tinnitus E-Programme © 2009-2024

CBT for Tinnitus E-Programme Ltd
Company Number: 15206830
Company Director: Debbie Featherstone


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