Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying, challenging and changing negative patterns of thinking and behaving. Using CBT, people learn specific skills designed to replace irrational patterns of thinking and behaving with healthy ones. People are taught these skills using a step-by-step approach. CBT is structured and requires people to follow through on assigned homework and tasks which would be taken up in the next session.
Throughout life we make assumptions about things. For example, if someone has anxiety and was asked to do a presentation, they begin to have automatic thoughts running through their head: “I’m going to look like an idiot," “I’m going to vomit” or “I might as well quit now.” These are thoughts that happen so quickly that people do not even have time to process them. Next thing you know, you feel hot, sweaty, queasy and having a hard time breathing. These assumptions or coping skills are things we often learn when we are typically young. We carry these beliefs into our adulthood and sometimes cannot make sense as to why we behave the way we do or why we think the way we do. This is where CBT comes into play.
CBT helps people make sense of their experiences. Why people react the way they do in certain situations. When we begin to understand people’s automatic thoughts, we start to understand the way they see themselves; their values and core beliefs.
I am trained and certified in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) through the Beck Institute. This scientific based method can be applied to several areas of your life. Whether it is working on your anxiety, depression, addiction or a negative behaviour you want to change, CBT can be used. If you are interested in finding out more about this type of therapy or wanting to begin counselling, please contact me.
