SERVICES
We provide evidence-based treatment for individuals in a variety of presenting issues. We are able to do sessions in individual, group or family/couples therapy. Each client will have a specialized and tailored therapy approach that works for them. To learn more about our therapy approaches that is used in treatment, find the information below:
COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL THERAPY (CBT)
CBT is a collaborative therapeutic approach which teaches clients important connections between thoughts, behaviours, emotions and physical sensations.
CBT is evidence-based and is considered the gold standard for many psychological disorders. CBT enables clients to become aware of unhelpful thought patterns and challenge these thoughts in order to develop a more balanced perspective on difficult and triggering situations.
CBT also incorporates behavioural approaches to allow clients to begin to approach situations that are usually avoided due to high levels of distress. CBT is a skills-based approach which enables clients to, ultimately, become your own therapist.
MINDFULNESS-BASED THERAPY
Mindfulness-based therapy approaches promote a focus on awareness and acceptance of the present moment.
Mindfulness teaches clients to be present and nonjudgmental of their current thoughts, feelings and physical sensations regardless of whether they experience pleasure or distress from them. These approaches teach clients to let difficult thoughts come and go and not engage with them or act on them.
Clients will benefit from the incorporation of mindfulness into their treatment as these skills allow for one to let go of intrusive thoughts, ruminations and pervasive anxiety.
ACCEPTANCE AND COMMITMENT THERAPY
ACT is a values-based approach that helps clients to move towards things in one’s life that are meaningful for them and also help to recognize elements in one’s life that keep them stuck.
ACT incorporates elements of mindfulness, acceptance and behavioural change to encourage the development of psychological flexibility which has been associated with enhanced quality of life and wellness.
DIALECTICAL BEHAVIOUR THERAPY (DBT)
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy was originally developed for individuals experiencing intense emotional reactions and extreme feelings of distress. It is now used with clients presenting with a variety of personal and interpersonal challenges.
There are different sets of core skills in DBT. These include mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation and interpersonal effectiveness.
DBT emphasizes teaching emotion regulation skills allow individuals to learn ways to better manage emotions so that they do not take hold of our thoughts and behaviours during important moments that mean a lot to us.
EXPOSURE THERAPY
Exposure therapy is a behavioural approach that helps to target problematic fears (i.e. driving, heights, social settings etc) and anxiety related disorders. The therapy involves developing an anxiety hierarchy and gradually exposing the client to situations that cause them anxiety. This type of therapy is often used for social anxiety, phobias and OCD.
PLAY THERAPY
Play therapy is primarily used for children. This type of approach is helpful in uncovering the thoughts and feelings of children that are unable to articulate it to their parents or family members. There are different tools that can be used in play therapy, such as role-playing, drawing, painting, and other toys. Through play therapy, children learn to express their inner feelings/thoughts, learn to solve problems, develop self-efficacy and coping skills.