Cognitive behavioural therapy is a form of counselling that focuses directly on the issues one might be looking to address. There is a set goal in mind and CBT works to change the thoughts, attitudes, and beliefs behind the behavioural reactions that cause difficulty. By changing the thoughts behind a difficult situation, you are able to see the event from a different perspective.

Dialectical behavioural therapy is a form of counselling that allows individuals to learn skills and strategies to cope with and change unhealthy behaviours. By definition, dialectical refers to two seemingly opposite strategies. When it comes to DBT, those strategies are acceptance and change. Acceptance of the current behaviour, and learning to change it.

ACT focuses on taking action. It teaches individuals to not avoid, deny, or struggle with their inner emotions, but to understand that these feelings can be appropriate responses to certain situations. Once an individual has accepted this and acknowledges their difficulties, it is easier to commit to making the necessary changes in one’s life using the tools you will learn throughout your therapy journey.

Emotion-focused therapy is a form of counselling focusing on adult relationships and their attachment/bonding styles. EFT is designed to help individuals accept and express their emotions, while learning to regulate, make sense of, and transform those emotions.

Solution-focused therapy is a form of counselling that focuses directly on solutions to problems, as opposed to focusing on the past experiences that led you to where you are now. It is a type of therapy that looks toward the future and has specific goals in mind.

Mindfulness is a practice that focuses on the here and now. Mindfulness-based therapy is a type of counselling that combines cognitive therapy, meditation and mindfulness to focus on the present and break away from any negative thought patterns. Some techniques that might be used in this type of therapy are learning and practicing meditation, breathing techniques, and present-moment awareness

Narrative therapy is a type of counselling that views individuals as separate from their problems. Think of it as observing a character in a novel who is experiencing a similar situation to you. This gives you the opportunity to distance yourself from the issue and perhaps view it from a new perspective. It is sometimes easier to look at a situation objectively when it is not directly related to yourself. You can then take this new perspective and use it to make changes and “rewrite” your life story.

Combined with CBT practices, Exposure therapy is a treatment that helps individuals confront their fears and anxieties in a systematic way. This form of therapy works by slowly exposing an individual to an object or event that causes fear in a safe environment, and builds upon it step-by-step. Typically, exposure therapy begins by exposing an individual to the least anxiety-inducing form of the fear, and works its way up to the most anxiety-inducing.

Motivational interviewing is a counselling method that helps individuals find the motivation required to change unhealthy behaviours. Making change to your life can be difficult, but motivational interviewing can help to discover what might be holding you back from making those changes. Your therapist will dive deeper into any unresolved feelings and insecurities and work towards ways to modify behaviour.

Substance Abuse therapy involves creating a treatment plan specific to your addiction. It involves a combination of any of the above therapies, as well as defining sobriety, understanding your triggers, managing your cravings, distress tolerance, behaviour modification, and working through family of origin issues. This holistic approach views the client from multiple perspectives, providing an eclectic approach to understanding and managing your addiction.