Why choose CBT?
Unlike other forms of psychotherapy, CBT is:
- Collaborative
- Both the therapist and client are responsible for change
- Problem-focused
- Problem areas are identified at the outset
- Tailored approach
- Flexible treatment plans are designed to fit each individual’s needs
- Practical
- CBT provides a detailed explanation of the why’s and how’s to feeling better
- Focused on the &ldquote;here-and-now&rdquote;
- Though our past experiences can sometimes help us understand the present, CBT is more present-centred and forward-looking
- Short-term
- On average people respond in 16 sessions, though some may require fewer or additional sessions
Is CBT effective?
CBT is the number one empirically supported psychological intervention for the treatment of:
- Depression
- Anger
- Anxiety disorders
- Panic disorder/panic attacks
- Agoraphobia
- Social anxiety disorder/extreme shyness
- Generalized anxiety disorder/excessive worry
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Specific phobias (e.g., heights, animals, or flying, etc…)
- Eating disorders
- Sleep disorders
- O-C spectrum disorders (e.g., hair pulling, skin picking)
- Low self-esteem/self-confidence
- Trouble expressing opinions and feelings
- Public speaking anxiety
- Chronic indecisiveness
- Difficulty relaxing/feeling &ldquote;stressed-out&rdquote;
- Sexual dysfunctions
- Substance abuse
- Problems with current relationships
- Procrastination
- Transitioning off of medication
- Personality disorders
- Health anxiety
Unlike many other forms of talk therapy, CBT has a massive body of evidence demonstrating its effectiveness, and is the most rigorously studied form of psychotherapy. Study after study shows CBT to be as effective as medication in treating conditions like depression, and better than medication for conditions like anxiety. CBT can also help patients safely withdraw from medications. Furthermore, the relapse rate for those receiving CBT has been shown to be lower than those treated with medication.