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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy?

What Is

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based treatment that has been validated in thousands of clinical trials for the treatment of a variety of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, trauma, personality disorders, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. ​

Evidence-based treatment

Collaborative approach

Practical skills for change

Structured and time-limited

Therapy Session Discussion

A Collaborative Approach

CBT is a collaborative therapy in which you will work with your therapist to understand the issues that you are having. CBT explores the interconnections between the ways we think, how we feel, and the things that we do in order to understand your problems and help you develop more adaptive ways of being for yourself. 

Thoughts

Understanding these connections leads to a positive change.

Feelings

Behaviours

Structured & Time-Limited

CBT is a structured and time-limited therapy, which means that each session is designed to be as effective and efficient as possible to help you with your problems.

 

In order to help you get the most out of your sessions, a CBT therapist will work with you to set an agenda at the beginning of session so that you can prioritize topics that are most important to you.

Typical Duration of CBT:

50-minute sessions

1x per week

12-20 weeks

CBT is time-limited because most people will not need ongoing therapy and will be able to maintain their improvements on their own once therapy is over.

Image by Estée Janssens

Between Sessions:

In between sessions, you will work on an individualized action plan. This may include practicing new skills, tracking patterns, testing new perspectives, or gradually approaching challenges.

What to Expect:

CBT usually involves a 50 minute session once per week for 12 – 20 weeks (some conditions, such as bipolar disorder, psychotic disorders, or personality disorders may require a longer duration of treatment).

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One session per week is not a great deal of time when there are 168 total hours in a week. Thus, in CBT it is helpful to do therapy work in between sessions as well.

Psychology Appointment

Your therapist will work with you to set-up an action plan to work on in between sessions that is linked to what you found most helpful about the session. These action plans are individualized so that you are always working on something that is meaningful to you. 

CBT is Effective for a Variety of Experiences:

Mood & Anxiety

  • Depression

  • Anxiety

  • Panic Disorder

  • Social Anxiety

  • Agoraphobia

  • Specific phobias

  • Health Anxiety

  • Seasonal Affective Disorder

Trauma

& Stress

  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

  • Stress Disorders

  • Adjustment Disorders

OCD &

Related

  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

  • Tic-Related Disorders

  • Body Focused Repetitive Behaviours

Personality Disorders

  • Borderline Personality Disorder

  • Avoidant Personality Disorder

  • Dependent Personality Disorder

  • Histrionic Personality Disorder

Mood &

Psychosis

  • Bipolar Disorder

  • Schizophrenia

  • Psychosis

  • Hallucinations

  • Somatic Symptom Disorders

Life &

Functioning

  • Interpersonal Difficulties

  • Life Transitions

  • Work Achievement

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