Cognitive behavioural therapy or CBT is an effective form of psychotherapy designed to help individuals understand and overcome a variety of psychological challenges. These challenges include but are not limited to:
- Anxiety
- Fears/Phobias
- Panic disorder
- Social Phobia
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Self-esteem and Assertiveness
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- Stress
- Sleeping Problems
- Depression
- Grief/Bereavement
CBT is increasingly identified as the “gold standard” form of psychotherapy as it is:
- Structured
- Intensive and short-term
- Goal Oriented
- Active and Collaborative
- Research based
- Focused on the “here and now”
- Based on teaching proven strategies and building long-term skills
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) employs a “thoughts, feelings and actions” framework to teach you to identify, question and change the thoughts, beliefs, attitudes and assumptions (cognitions) related to your emotional and behavioural reactions to certain kinds of situations. CBT can help you to:
- Identify thought patterns that influence your emotions and behaviours
- Understand how you think about yourself, other people and the world around you
- Consider that often it is not the situation that causes the psychological distress but rather the way that we think about (cognitions) and react (behaviours) to that situation that causes the distress and emotional pain
- Break the downward cycle of negative thinking, feeling and actions
- Learn new behaviours, skills, and ways of coping with life events
The goal of CBT is to provide you with the tools to identify problematic thoughts that impact your emotions and behaviours. CBT will teach you alternative ways of behaving and thinking in “negative” situations, thereby preventing relapses and by equipping you with the skills you will need to face future problems. In therapy, we will work collaboratively to identify the challenges that you are currently facing, explore your expectations of therapy and discuss the changes that you would like to make, identify what needs to take place in order for these changes to occur, and explore the most effective techniques to help empower you to make these changes.
If you have any questions about how psychotherapy, and CBT, may support you in dealing with challenges you are facing, or would like to book an appointment, please do not hesitate to contact me by calling the Yellow Gazebo Clinic directly at (416) 909-2334.
Megan Rafuse, MSW RSW
