What It Is:

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, or CBT, is one of the most well-known and widely practiced forms of psychotherapy — and for good reason. It’s practical, present-focused, and helps people gain real tools to change how they think, feel, and behave.

At its core, CBT is based on a simple but powerful idea: our thoughts, feelings, and actions are all interconnected. When we’re stuck in painful patterns — like anxious spirals, harsh self-criticism, or avoidance behaviours — it’s often because of the way we’re interpreting events around us. CBT helps bring those automatic thoughts into the light so we can understand them, challenge them, and reshape them.

But this isn’t just about “thinking positively.” It’s about learning to think more clearly and kindly — so that your thoughts become less of a bully and more of an ally.

What It Can Help With:

• Anxiety and panic attacks

• Depression and low mood

• OCD, phobias, and health anxiety

• PTSD

• Eating disorders

• Insomnia

• Low self-esteem and perfectionism

• Chronic stress or burnout

How It Works:

CBT is collaborative — you and your therapist work as a team. Sessions are structured and focused on identifying the links between thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. You’ll learn to notice patterns, challenge negative thinking, and replace it with more realistic, helpful perspectives. You’ll also practice changing behaviours that are keeping you stuck. Brief “homework” between sessions helps apply what you’re learning in real life.

Why It Works:

CBT is one of the most researched therapies out there. It’s recommended as a first-line treatment for anxiety, depression, and PTSD — and has been shown to be just as effective as medication in many cases. The best part? It gives you tools you can use long after therapy ends.