Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Ok I know it's a therapy for mental health problems and that it is like training your brain to be different. But I have some questions:
Is it really hard?
Do you have to be quick and good at learning and opening up to benefit?
Does it actually work?
What kind of exercises do you have to do?
Has anyone had it done on here?

Today my doctor diagnosed me with depression and self esteem issues and referred me to a counsellor with CBT training (there isn't a specialist on NHS in the county) who I will see in 4 to 6 weeks. So any advice would be much appreciated. I'm a bit scared.

I haven't personally tried CBT. But I know a few things about it. CBT works by changing your attitudes and behaviours. As its cognitive, it focuses mainly on altering your thoughts, changing it to a better perspective personally for you to help you deal with your difficulties better. They say if you have negative thoughts, these can block things you see or do that disbelief what you believe is true. Therefore the only way to unblock these is by having a more positive attitude/thoughts/images/beliefs.

When you meet your therapist, you will discuss problems and set goals for which you will try to achieve in each therapeutic session. The therapist will set you homeworks/assignments to prepare yourself for the next session. The difference between other therapies is that CBT lets you therapute yourself, it gives you independence, rather than just relying and depending on your therapist to help you. Therefore a little motivation and dedication is required.

If its hard or not, depends on you. The more you give to it, the more you are to help yourself and overcome your difficulties. Of course its up to you, you do not have to share everything with your therapist, but he/she is there to help you achieve your goals and alter any negative thoughts and feelings. With depression and self esteem, the CBT has been found to be very beneficial. I dont know if you are taking any medications, but they say CBT + medications = a good chance of recovery from depression. In the short term CBT can reduce emotional symptoms, and in the long term can give you good coping skills to take away with you forever, to help you deal with any future difficulties.

For more info about it, here's some good sites to read
http://www.ptsdforum.org/thread568.html
http://www.med.umich.edu/depression/cbt.htm

and a forum you can join to discuss with others who may have had CBT in the past/currently http://www.uncommon**********/index.php

Good luck!