Our Approach

In treatment we use evidence-based approaches including Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, and Cognitive Processing Therapy for trauma. Our approach to treatment is client-centered, collaborative, and tailored to your individual needs. This means that we will continually work together to understand your particular concerns and how best to address them. This may involve the use of a structured treatment approach or a more integrative approach that pulls from various orientations. We will get to know you and build a strong foundation based on trust and understanding for tackling the issues you struggle with. Treatment can be challenging and throughout the process we will work together to reach your goals. Our job is to help guide you in the direction that is required to overcome your difficulties. We are committed to help you develop a life that is more satisfying and meaningful.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based treatment developed by Marsha Linehan and designed to help individuals cope with intense, unpredictable, and distressing emotions. DBT helps people obtain a life worth living, learn important life skills, and develop a greater sense of self-control. DBT is influenced by the philosophy of dialectics, which means the balancing of opposites. DBT aims to strike a balance between accepting aspects of one’s current experience, while simultaneously changing what might not be working for them. DBT draws upon acceptance-based principles from Zen Buddhist traditions and change-based principles from behaviour therapy. DBT also fosters growth through Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Emotion Regulation, and Interpersonal Effectiveness skills. DBT was originally developed as a treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder and is also an effective treatment for a variety of other mental health issues (e.g., chronic depression, anger problems, eating disorders).

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a short-term evidence-based treatment that helps you to understand how your thoughts, emotions, and behaviours are related to one another in the difficulties that you may encounter. This treatment approach focuses on helping clients learn how to change the way they think and act, which in turn changes the way they feel. As a result of these changes, many people experience a decrease in their psychological distress and function better in their daily lives. Research shows that CBT is an effective treatment for a wide range of problems including anxiety, depression, and chronic pain.

Cognitive Processing Therapy

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is a type of cognitive behavioural therapy that is effective for treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and related conditions. CPT teaches clients how to change upsetting thoughts and resolve problematic emotions (fear, anxiety, guilt, anger) that have contributed to them feeling stuck in their trauma. This therapy focuses on helping individuals identify, evaluate, and change distressing thoughts related to oneself and their environment in the areas of safety, trust, control, esteem, and intimacy. Clients will learn specific strategies to change inaccurate and/or unhelpful ways of thinking, which will lift the barriers to their recovery. CPT is short-term therapy that typically lasts 12 sessions in duration; however, this can vary depending on the individual needs of the client.