Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a type of talk therapy that is used to help people understand and change the way they think and behave. If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed or ready to seek change, CBT may be a good option for you, and we can help.
As a full-service agency, our therapists are trained in a variety of individual counselling methods including cognitive behavioural therapy. Our team currently offers CBT therapy in-person at our office in London, ON and online throughout Ontario.
What Is CBT?
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based type of psychotherapy that is widely used to treat a variety of mental health disorders. CBT has been proven to be an effective treatment for conditions such as depression, anxiety, trauma, PTSD and many other mental health conditions. This type of therapy helps people to understand how their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours are related, and it teaches them specific skills to help them modify the thoughts and behaviours that are contributing to their problems. This type of therapy is often shorter-term, although the amount of sessions needed varies between clients and unique situations. CBT therapy is also very goal-oriented and collaborative between the patient and practitioner. This means that sessions are more structured and designed to address specific issues and therapy goals.
During your CBT sessions, you will work with your therapist to break down overwhelming problems into smaller areas and identify how each area is interconnected. Problems are broken down into situations, thoughts, emotions, physical feelings, and actions. By understanding each of these areas of a complex problem, it becomes easier to create strategies to overcome them. At Gibson & Associates, we believe that our personal stories and journeys are the roots that provide us with the growth opportunities and foundations for strength and resilience. However, our stories can also hold experiences that cause pain, insecurity, and doubt. Working through our stories and addressing our stuck points is a helpful way to change our lives.
What Are The Benefits of CBT?
The benefits of CBT are similar to those of other types of counselling in that you can work with a therapist to identify opportunities to heal, create and implement coping strategies, and overall, increase your quality of life. That being said, however, there are some unique benefits to CBT including:
- It is highly structured – during sessions you can expect to discuss specific problems with your therapist and set goals to achieve them. This can differ from other types of talk therapy which are more free-flowing.
- It is collaborative – during sessions, you can expect your therapist to work with you in a collaborative manner to find solutions to your identified problems.
- It can help develop a more rational thought process – one of the main benefits and focuses of CBT is that it can help us to gain control over our thoughts. Patients often feel less ruminating thoughts and more in control of their thoughts after CBT.
Online CBT In Ontario
While studies have shown the effectiveness of in-person CBT time and time again, what about virtual or online CBT? Studies have shown that online or virtual CBT is an effective and viable alternative to face-to-face treatment. Over the past few years, online therapy has grown substantially in popularity. What was once more of a necessity due to Covid-19, has largely become a preference due to convenience and the ability to select specific practitioners out of your particular geographical area.
Our therapists regularly offer CBT online to patients across the province of Ontario. If you’re interested in working with a particular therapist or if virtual CBT is of interest to you, send us a message now to get started.
Ready to Get Started With Individual Therapy?
No matter the reason you are seeking therapy, we commend you for taking the first step. At Gibson & Associates, we strongly believe that every individual has the innate ability to cope with life’s challenges, but sometimes details from the past make it difficult for people to access these skills. Cognitive behavioural therapy is an effective way to re-access these skills and allow you to live the life you deserve. Contact us today to get started.