About Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

What is CBT?

CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) is a way to help people understand and manage their feelings and thoughts. It’s like a toolbox for our mind and body, and can help us feel better when we’re sad, worried, or stressed.

At The CBT Collective, we prioritize providing high quality cognitive behavioural therapy. Our therapists are trained by experts in cognitive behavioural therapy, and receive regular supervision and training in a variety of areas to ensure CBTC clients are comprehensively and holistically supported. By training our roster of therapists in CBT sub-specialties, we are defining our clinic as a leader for CBT in the mental health industry.

How does CBT work?

CBT helps us understand how our symptoms are connected to our thoughts and behaviours.

CBT works towards identifying unhelpful patterns in our thinking or actions that are negatively contributing to how we think and feel about ourselves, others, and the world. The premise behind CBT is that by changing our thoughts and behaviours, we can change the way we feel. This is accomplished by challenging, reframing, and balancing unhelpful pattens. Since our brains are not naturally “wired” to “fire” this way, CBT requires practice. The more you practice CBT with a licensed professional, the more automatic it becomes to think and act in positive and healthy ways.

Cognitive behavioural therapy has two general approaches: the cognitive and the behavioural. Cognitive approaches may involve rewiring our brain to think more positively or objectively, learning to worry more effectively, and how to manage stress. Behavioural approaches may involve adapting healthier routines, taking action to resolve distress, and using action to boost your mood. Your therapist will work with you to develop a plan that accommodates the variables of changes required to meet the goals you are hoping for.

You will know CBT is working once these cognitive and behavioural changes are the “new normal.” This can be hard to pinpoint, but your therapist can help you reflect on your progress and to continue building on your resiliency.

CBT is a toolbox that provides clients with lifelong skills that (we hope) becomes more automatic for clients the more they practice.

How many sessions do I need?

Generally speaking, most clients need between 6 to 8 session to notice changes using CBT methods.

At The CBT Collective, we encourage clients to commit to either 6 or 12 sessions. The 6-Session approach is appropriate for clients experiencing short-term, situational stressors that require the client to unlearn unhelpful thinking patterns or behaviours, and replace them with thoughts and behaviours that are more beneficial.

The 12-Session approach is appropriate for clients experiencing complex, long-term distress that requires exhaustive information gathering to develop a comprehensive understanding of the factors and variables impacting client’s past, current, and future wellbeing.

Clients are encouraged to start with the 6-Session approach, and they can upgrade to the 12-Session approach later on if they choose. For more information or to set up a consultation to discuss if CBT is the right choice for you, please contact us.