First and foremost, we see ourselves as scientist-practitioners, which means that our assessment and treatment practices are guided by the most current research evidence possible, and we tailor the therapy to suit the particular client who we are working with.  

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Our main treatment approach, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that aims to help clients understand their difficulties as an interrelationship between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours.  Clients then learn simple and effective strategies to help them manage and improve their current distress, and they are given tools to protect them from relapsing in the future.  

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We also offer treatment in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), a treatment approach that was designed specifically to help individuals who experience intense emotions.  As a result of these painful emotions, these individuals often have problems with impulsive behaviours, difficulties in relationships, and challenges knowing who they are and what they want. DBT treatment is composed of a series of structured modules that help to address each of these areas of difficulty.

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In addition to CBT and DBT, when appropriate, we incorporate other evidence-based treatment approaches, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT),  Schema Therapy, and Mindfulness Meditation.

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We also work from our first interactions with all of our clients to establish a strong working relationship, to identify our client’s goals for assessment and treatment, and to be clear with our clients about the ways we can work together to reach those goals.  In this way, we aim to create a positive working alliance, which has been shown to be a very important factor in predicting positive therapeutic outcome.

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