Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

The central principle of CBT is that our thoughts, emotions, physical reactions and behaviours are part of a unified system. In CBT, the therapist and client work together, to explore, explain and modify unhelpful patterns of thoughts and behaviours that are the basis of psychological problems.

cognitive behavioural therapy concept chart

CBT is a goal oriented, client-centred approach to an individual’s personal circumstances and experiences. Once the various skills are taught, they can be easily applied to many aspects of a client’s life. Study results have indicated that as few as 3-6 sessions of CBT will have a significant impact on issues such as depression and anxiety.

CBT has shown to be effective with a number of psychological problems including, but not limited to:

  • Depression
  • Insomnia
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • Panic Disorder
  • Chronic Pain
  • Self-Esteem


  • Worry
  • Fears
  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder
  • Separation Anxiety
  • Social Phobia
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
  • Eating Disorders


CBT is a well validated treatment modality and one of the most extensively utilized and researched forms of therapy. Given the emphasis in empiricism, CBT approaches to treatment are continually evolving to respond to new developments in research and clinical practice.