Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)

What is Cognitive Behaviour Therapy? (CBT)

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is a time-limited (e.g. 6 to 20 sessions), present-focused treatment that focuses on changing negative thoughts and behaviours. From a CBT framework, problematic thoughts (“I am unlovable”) lead to painful emotions (e.g. sadness, shame) that in turn lead to maladaptive behaviour (e.g. isolation).

Goals

The goals of CBT are to:

• Become aware of automatic thoughts and negative core beliefs
• Identify problematic patterns of behaviour and emotional responses
• Learn skills and strategies to change unhelpful thought patterns, emotions, and behaviours.

What we treat

Decades of scientific research have shown that CBT is an evidence-based psychological treatment for:

• anxiety disorders
• depression
• chronic pain
• disordered eating
• anger issues
• addiction
• schizophrenia and psychotic disorders
• low self-esteem