Are you faced with life challenges right now? Do you feel like you need to talk to someone, yet you’re not sure who exactly to talk to? You may find yourself feeling an immense sense of relief after talking to someone in a place where you feel welcome and heard, especially if you’re going through a tough situation and/or experiencing symptoms of chronic stress, anxiety, and depression. If you would like to start talking to someone you feel you can trust, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is one of our readily available services at Expressions Counselling.
How Does CBT Work?
CBT is an evidence-based technique that’s typically used in talk therapy. The primary goal of CBT is to gently shift thought patterns commonly found in depression, anxiety, etc. so that you can adjust your emotional thought process and behaviour.
CBT is based on 3 principles:
1: Psychological problems are partly based on unhelpful, negative, and learned behaviour patterns.
2: Psychological challenges stem in part from flawed, negative, or otherwise unhelpful thought patterns.
3: With time and effort, people dealing with such psychological issues are capable of learning how to better cope with these issues, ergo finding much-needed relief from their symptoms and thus improving their lives.
CBT is considered a personal, inward process for clientele. It is designed to teach clients that they are able to change unhelpful behaviours and thoughts through their personal skill development. In turn, this helps them better control their emotions and mental health.
The very first step of CBT is to form and then build up a strong therapeutic relationship between therapist and client. Once a client feels they are safe, understood, and unconditionally accepted, we then gently apply CBT to each session via talk therapy as well as art and play therapy. Homework is provided after each session in order for clients to be actively participating in their mental health recovery.
Is CBT right for you?
Most people undergo CBT as their primary form of talk therapy in order to address and fulfill their counselling needs. However, there are times when Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) or other modalities such as EMDR, art therapy, or AEDP are more effective. Our team can help you determine the best approach that works for you.
The clientele we serve in Port Moody and surrounding areas is diverse. We work with children and youth who are faced with anxiety, depression, behavioural issues, school troubles, and challenges navigating change in families such as loss and grief.
We also work with young adults and adults who struggle daily with any and all of the following: anxiety, stress, depression, panic attacks, traumatic memories and experiences, immigration issues, identity issues, ASD, LGBTQ+ matters, motor-vehicle accident traumas, and life transitions.
