Therapy Style

Dialectical Behavioural Therapy

DBT is a therapy that has been proven to be effective in treating individuals who struggle with emotion regulation, impulsive behaviour, suicidal ideation, self-harm, and other ineffective behaviours. By understanding the function of behaviours, DBT aims to help an individual develop effective coping strategies through focusing on the development of 4 areas of skills; mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

ACT is a therapy that focuses on accepting the present moment at hand, instead of bringing pain from the past or worries from the future, without pushing away or clinging to. This allows us to observe reality for what it is, thoughts as thoughts, words as words, and behaviours as behaviours; nothing more and nothing less. This awareness also means we get the opportunity to reflect and ask those difficult questions related to the self such as values and goals. The second part of ACT is the commitment to taking action on the established goals derived from identified values.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

CBT is a therapy based on the understanding that our thoughts, emotions, and behaviours are all influenced by one another. The focus of this therapy is to recognize unhelpful thinking patterns that are leading to difficult emotions and problematic behaviours; and understand the function of behaviours through analysis of how they are shaped and reinforced. By challenging thought patterns, the opportunity to change emotional experiences and resulting behaviours arises; and with a better understanding of behavioural function comes the opportunity to shape new behaviours.

Solution Focused Brief Therapy

SFBT is a therapy that primarily focuses on solutions to the problems that are causing us distress. The focus is to find realistic, implementable solution to quickly reduce suffering. By exploring strengths and instances where exceptions have occurred, solutions are forms and developed collaboratively. Effective behaviour and competencies are reinforced and action plans are mapped out. 

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy

MBCT is a therapy that introduces a present-awareness and non-judgmental attitude in understanding thought patterns resulting in emotional experiences. By bringing judgment-free awareness to these ineffective thought patterns, it allows for the opportunity to shift these thoughts to more positive ones that more accurately represent reality. Some techniques include meditation, body scans, informal mindfulness practices, and mindful movement.

Motivational Interviewing

MI is a therapy that helps cultivate an internal motivation for change. It is nonjudgmental where exploration of circumstances come from curiosity and relies heavily on acceptance of where an individual is at. Rather than pushing an individual towards change, it’s helping them see the consequences of continued behaviour and the discrepancies between their actions and goals. The focus is on encouraging the individual towards positive change and reinforcing their capacity to take action.