What is CBRT™?

An innovative, human-led, person-centred first-tier mental-health intervention and communication system.

Colour Breathing Relaxation Technique© (CBRT™) was created in the UK for relaxation, wellbeing and mental health. It combines the seven uniquely designed Colour Breathing Disks© with conscious breathing, structured whole mind-body relaxation, positive communication and a practical way for participants to express their responses.

The Programme is practical, non-invasive, non-tactile and non-denominational. It has wide cultural application and places the participant, patient or service user at the centre of delivery.

Development of a new first-tier intervention

Colour Breathing Relaxation Technique© was first used in mental-health communities in Northern Ireland in 2005. The acronym CBRT was created in 2009 while the Programme was preparing for entry into the UK National Health Service.

In 2012, CBRT was recognised as a technology through due-diligence activity involving the former NHS National Innovation Centre. The Programme has continued to develop as a proactive first-tier approach to mental-health and wellbeing support.

CBRT™ has been used with people experiencing stress, hypertension, anxiety, depression and other conditions affecting subjective wellbeing and resilience.

How the CBRT™ process works

The seven Colour Breathing Disks© each have a distinctive graduated design. They provide the visual focus while a participant becomes aware of their breathing, relaxes the body in seven stages and communicates their individual response.

A trained Practitioner listens, observes and communicates with care. CBRT™ Initial Response Sheets© and other Programme records provide a structured way to capture responses, support case-study work and record change over time.

Sessions may be delivered individually or in person-centred groups. Groups typically contain five to six people and would normally contain no more than ten.

Supporting underserved communities and national wellbeing strategies

The CBRT™ model has been developed to help extend practical first-tier support where access to mental-health resources is limited. Its aims include prevention, Positive Psychology, human care, social connection, public communication about mental health and a new trained Practitioner workforce.

The Programme has the potential to complement existing healthcare and community pathways, support earlier intervention and help services use specialist clinical capacity where it is most needed.

i) Reinforces the need for prevention of mental health illness rather than condition ‘treatment’.

ii) Supports a Positive Psychology approach to personal wellbeing, human care and outcomes.

iii) Improves public awareness and requirement for socialisation of mental health illness and wellbeing needs.

iv) Universally deliverable across all aspects of healthcare.

v) May help to reduce the impact on current mental healthcare services and waiting lists through the delivery of a regulated therapeutic intervention which has the ability to deliver measurable outcomes.

vi) CBRT Practitioners - a new quality first tier service in mental health support.

Professional and organisational relevance

CBRT™ has relevance for professional trainers, mental-health and social-care workers, specialist clinicians, behavioural-health and community healthcare providers, charities, educators, employers, public bodies and researchers.

Its human-led, person-centred approach is designed for individual, group, community, educational and workplace settings when delivered by an appropriately trained CBRT™ Practitioner.

Example outcomes recorded by CBRT™ Practitioners during their Training Programme Assessment as case studies in service delivery

The current evidence resources include 28 people receiving Individual Sessions and 193 people taking part in Group Sessions of approximately five to six people. Responses were recorded across Session One and Session Two.

All 28 Individual participants agreed or strongly agreed that they felt more relaxed after Session Two: 19 strongly agreed and 9 agreed.

In the Group dataset, 189 of 193 participants agreed or strongly agreed that they felt more relaxed after Session Two.

The CBRT™ measurement framework includes Practitioner observations, CBRT™ Initial Response Sheets©, GAD-7, PHQ-9, participant feedback and repeat measures where appropriate.

These outcomes were recorded by CBRT™ Practitioners as part of their Training Programme Assessment case studies in service delivery.

Research leadership and oversight

The CBRT Expert Scientific Clinician Advisory Board (ESCAB) will provide the route for research leadership, professional oversight and collaboration with clinicians, specialists and universities. Professor Richard Velleman is Patron, Professor Stephen Westland is ESCAB Chair, and Dr Raffaella Milani to be involved in the developing evaluation pathway.

Clinicians, Specialists and Universities will work collectively to establish a robust and highly respected international evidence base for this person centred, psychological therapy.

Current and forthcoming opportunities

The Colour Breathing Book Kit© is available to purchase now. Expressions of interest are welcome for the updated CBRT™ Practitioner Training Programme planned for 2027. Public CBRT™ Relaxation Support Sessions® are planned from 2027, with further information to follow.

View CBRT™ evidence and participant outcomes

This website is not intended to provide medical diagnosis, advice, treatment, or endorsement.

All rights reserved. CBRT Healthcare Innovation Systems Ltd 2026.