Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Services in Calgary
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) was developed by Aaron Beck and is a therapeutic technique that is used to treat a variety of mental health issues. CBT has become an evidence-based and supported therapeutic modality for depression, anxiety, other mood and anxiety disorders, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), trauma, and more. CBT is more focused on the present, limited in duration, and solution-focused. Clients will often learn specific skills that they can use throughout their lives, which may involve identifying “cognitive distortions” – negative thoughts or unhealthy thinking patterns, addressing core beliefs, as well as changing relational and other behaviours. You can learn more about CBT from the Beck Institute here.
The short story
At Sana Psychological, Paige Abbott (Registered Psychologist) incorporates elements of CBT into all of her counselling services.
Specifically, focusing on the present, exploring immediate thoughts, feelings, and patterns, and providing people recommendations to implement outside of counselling sessions are the part that Paige incorporates most. Paige prefers to meet with people over a longer period of time than pure CBT recommends and likes to work on building a long-term relationship that people can return to in future, if desired. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy involves an initial session or two to get to know you and determine treatment planning and recommendations. You have the option for sessions to occur in person or virtually (by phone or video) with the fees being $220/50 minute session. Treatment will vary depending on your needs and preferences with short-term engagement being 3-6 months with the option of long-term follow-up always available (6+ months). Family members and loved ones are invited to come in to learn how to best support you and/or for their own treatment and to improve their own self-esteem and well-being.
The longer story
At Sana Psychological, Registered Psychologist Paige Abbott has learned about Cognitive Behavioural Therapy from Dr. Judith Beck, Aaron Beck’s daughter, amongst other resources and training over time. During this training, she has learned the foundational principles of CBT and how to incorporate them into practice, particularly for addressing symptoms of depression, anxiety, pain, anger, trauma, and addiction.
How Do You Know if You Would Benefit from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy?
Below are some statements for reflection that are meant to informally support you in determining if this specific therapeutic modality would be a fit for your present challenges and functioning. Have a read through the statements and answer ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to them.
- I am currently experiencing challenges or symptoms that are impacting my quality of life
- I am looking for some change in my present circumstances
- I am less interested in focusing on the past than the present
- I am open to activities to do outside of counselling sessions
- I am open to recommendations and suggestions from my therapist
- Exploring past issues that I have already processed is not very appealing to me
- I like my therapist to be active and engaged, in addition to an empathetic listener
- I would like more understanding of my thought patterns and how to change them
- I am interested in learning about new skills and action steps I can take to learn about and improve myself
- I believe that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours are linked
If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these statements, then seeking out a CBT therapist or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy may be a good fit for your personal development and exploration, as the strategies it employs would likely meet your beliefs and goals. The more statements you answered ‘yes’ to, the greater a fit CBT may be for you at this time.
Treatment Approach
At Sana Psychological, CBT is a therapeutic approach that is integrated into most sessions in combination with other modalities, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT). What this means is that sessions involve a combination of clinical interview and discussion to determine presenting issues, symptoms, and strengths, in addition to some in session practice of techniques as well as suggestions for strategies and tasks to do outside of sessions. A foundational element of CBT is the incorporation of homework. Paige approaches this more flexibly than standard CBT, as she does not believe in policing or expectations, but you may be encouraged to reflect on, track, or take action on certain things. A check-in at the next appointment will happen to see what (if any) progress you were able to make on this. The information from this helps inform your current barriers as well as resources and allows treatment to be further tailored to meet you where you are at.
CBT is incorporated into sessions for all issues that Sana Psychological deals with, including problem behaviour counselling, codependency counselling, relationship counselling, eating disorders counselling, depression, anxiety, and anger counselling.
Logistics
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is provided by Paige Abbott from her private practice in Calgary, Alberta. Technology Assisted Counselling, which consists of phone or video sessions, is also available to anyone who is located in Alberta at the time of counselling. The cost of service is $220/50 minute session with payment options being cash, credit card, debit, e-transfer and direct billing with a number of different insurance carriers.
Typically, Paige likes to be active and engaged in the counselling process so be prepared for lots of questions as well as reflections, challenges, and psychoeducation along the way. This approach can be tailored to meet your needs and personal process. Therapeutic goals are individualized and customized and can be modified along the way as needed. Sessions come from a place of non-judgment, compassion, and empathy.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can be short or long-term, depending on your needs. Paige enjoys cultivating strong relationships with her clients and hopes to connect with people less frequently over a longer period of time. This way, the counselling process can keep supporting you as new challenges and experiences come your way, rather than learning some tools in a short period of time but not having processing support as you go through life. It is okay if you would prefer a few sessions and then move forward with your life, but it is important to know that the door is always open so feel free to return for a session at any time to check-in.
Appointments can be scheduled online at anytime. If the ‘New Client’ option is not available, please check our About Page to see when new client sessions are being scheduled. You can email us indicating your interest and we will go from there!
If you have questions about the services offered, do not hesitate to reach out. Email will be the quickest way to get in touch. We aim to respond to emails and phone calls within 1 business day.
For loved ones
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is often an individual process but can also involve concerned family members and supports. Family members may decide to come in for their own support, self-care, and/or participate in sessions with their loved one to support them as well as learn some tools and skills for themselves. For family members who are reading this, you may be hoping that your loved one will change and are feeling confused about how to best help them. Truly the best way to help others is to help ourselves, so perhaps it is time to consider change starting with you. It is amazing what change in one part of a relational unit can have on the whole unit.
Sana Psychological is excited and happy to support you wherever you are at in your journey of change and self-exploration. We hope you can agree with our slogan: Do different, be different!
