Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is a psychological treatment that considers the impact of our thoughts and behaviours on how we feel both physically and emotionally. We know that these all interact and influence one another so small changes in any one of these areas can lead to significant changes in the others.

Therefore, CBT is an active therapy that focuses on helping you learn new skills and strategies to change how your are thinking and behaving. You will work collaboratively with your therapist to understand your symptoms, how these problems are maintained, identify goals for treatment, and learn new strategies to make meaningful changes in your life.

CBT is considered the gold standard treatment for a number of psychological disorders, including anxiety and mood disorders, insomnia, obsessive compulsive and related disorders, PTSD, and a number of other clinical disorders. In addition, the process and principles of CBT have been used successfully to treat difficulties with stress, adjustment to major life changes, anger, relationship issues, fatigue, chronic pain, and making difficult lifestyle changes. CBT is the most widely researched and effective psychological therapy.

CBT is an umbrella term for therapies that share the same model, principles, and framework for change but may differ in the specific techniques used to effect change. Some examples of therapies within the CBT umbrella, and which are offered here at Guelph CBT, include:

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Behavioural Activation (BA)
• Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
• Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
• Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE)