our therapy options

CBT is a treatment approach used for a range of psychological concerns that emphasizes the contribution of our thought process to our emotional landscape. Our emotions in turn influence how we operate in our day-to-day life (our behaviour). If you've ever thought to yourself: "I'll never get everything done in time!" and then felt your motivation to get started crash, then you have felt the negative effects of your own thought process. Other thoughts are much more distressing than this (for example involving themes of being unlikable, incapable, or hopeless) and can generate very strong feelings and impact behaviour in profound ways.

The initial goal of cognitive behavioural therapy is to begin noticing the thoughts and assumptions that are causing the most difficulty. Once the particularly problematic thoughts are identified, our counselling work shifts toward challenging these thoughts and determining if they are really true or if they are based on false assumptions, incomplete information, or other unhelpful patterns. We will address these patterns and explore core beliefs that may underlie the thought process. By challenging the parts of our thought process that are unhelpful or based on faulty logic, mood begins to improve and people start feeling more energized and productive. They start to feel less 'stuck' and better able to manage the challenges of life. 

Cognitive behavioural therapy is a very practical approach to counselling that deals with current problems in the here-and-now. A typical course of treatment is between 10 and 16 sessions, with some clients benefiting from only a few sessions. There is a large body of research that suggests that CBT is highly effective in the treatment of many psychological problems and personal challenges.

Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT) was developed by Dr. Ellen Frank in 1990. It is an evidence-based psychotherapy used as an adjunct treatment to the psychiatric management of Bipolar Disorder, a complex and frequently misunderstood diagnosis. It proposes that episodes of bipolar disorder result from psychosocial and biological causes: in particular, from external stressful events (especially interpersonal ones) and from disruptions in biological circadian rhythms. IPSRT is built on a theory that mood instability is related to a sensitive internal clock. IPSRT suggests that mood stability in individuals with bipolar disorder will be highly sensitive to conflicts, major transitions, losses, and other negative interpersonal patterns as well as instability and irregularity in certain social rhythms (sleep pattern, for example). IPSRT works to treat illness episodes and extend the interval between episodes by helping patients identify and better solve interpersonal problems and to maintain more consistent and regular daily rhythms.

IPSRT typically involves weekly or biweekly sessions at first and is built on a model of 16 sessions, with some clients experiencing symptom improvement much more quickly and others requiring longer periods of treatment. IPSRT requires clients to complete practical assignments outside of sessions and is designed to be done in conjunction with pharmacotherapy for most patients. The research on the effectiveness of IPSRT to reduce the frequency, intensity and length of manic, hypomanic, and depressive episodes is quite promising.

EX/RP is a specialized form of CBT. It draws on the work of many psychologists over the past 50 years but is most closely associated with the work of Dr. Vic Meyer in the mid 1960s. It was further developed and refined by Dr. Edna Foa and her colleagues at that University of Pennsylvania over the past several decades. EX/RP is a structured and evidence-based cognitive behavioural treatment for OCD designed to gradually help a person to better respond to obsessions and limit their compulsions. Using this treatment approach, your clinician will help you to practicing confronting (the exposure part of EX/RP) any distressing thoughts, images, and situations that cause distress and/or provoke compulsive behaviours. Response prevention refers to gradually working toward eliminating compulsive behaviours and rituals that are triggered. Those undergoing treatment learn that when they inhibit their compulsion, rather than increasing their distress and anxiety, it actually reduces in the longer term.

EX/RP typically involves weekly sessions at first and is built on a model of 17 to 20 sessions, with some clients experiencing symptom improvement much more quickly and others requiring longer periods of treatment. EX/RP requires clients to complete practical assignments outside of sessions and it may be recommended in conjunction with pharmacotherapy, depending on the severity of OCD symptoms. While the idea of confronting distressing obsessions and limiting compulsions might seem daunting, EX/RP is done on the basis of gradual challenges and with the guidance and support of a trained expert. EX/RP is a gold standard treatment for OCD with excellent treatment outcomes.

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) was developed by Dr. Patricia Resick in the late 1980s to treat trauma responses to sexual assault. CPT is a time limited and structured approach to treating psychological trauma of all kinds. It is based on theories of classical and operant conditioning and emotional processing theory in combination with cognitive theories of depression and biological underpinnings of threat detection and response.

CPT is a cognitive-behavioural treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and related problems. The goals of CPT are to improve symptoms and day-to-day living. During our treatment protocol, we will identify and explore how your trauma or traumas have changed your thoughts and beliefs about yourself, other people, and the world in general, and how some of these thoughts and related feelings may be keeping you stuck in your symptoms. You will be asked to examine your experiences in order to understand how they have affected your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours.

CPT typically consists of 12 or more individual therapy sessions and involves weekly or biweekly sessions. It requires clients to complete practical assignments outside the sessions, which are designed to help understand the trauma response and improve PTSD and related symptoms. Research support for the effectiveness of CPT is excellent and the American Psychological Association (APA) strongly recommends CPT for the treatment of PTSD.

CBT for Insomnia or CBT-i is a treatment protocol based on CBT principles for the treatment of insomnia. This is a short-term approach to treating insomnia (approximately 5 to 8 sessions) that research suggests is very effective in increasing the total hours of sleep for individuals with even chronic sleep issues. CBT-i is a safe, non-invasive, and brief treatment with research support suggesting it is more effective in the long term than sleeping medication.