Types of Therapy

A structured form of therapy intended to help individuals notice and change unhelpful patterns in thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. It is based on the "Think, Feel, Act" model, or the idea that how we think affects how we feel and what we do. By shifting these patterns, one can begin to feel better and cope in more effective ways. CBT is goal-oriented and focuses on providing tools that can be utilized immediately. It can be helpful for those experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, and other mental health issues.

CPT is a form of therapy that helps people heal from trauma and posttraumatic stress. It is most useful for those who have experienced something that still feels unresolved, or if someone finds themselves stuck with unhelpful beliefs about what happened to them. It is reliant on clients doing homework in-between sessions, and primarily uses writing as a form of processing. CPT can help individuals understand how trauma may have changed how they view themselves, others, and the world; identify what may be keeping them stuck (such as intense and unprocessed feelings); and learn how to shift thoughts in a way that are more balanced and less distressing.

Prolonged exposure is a type of therapy created to help people heal from trauma and posttraumatic stress. It is very common after a traumatic experience to begin to avoid reminders of what happened (this can include thoughts, feelings, places, or certain situations). PE assists clients in gently reducing their avoidance by gradually facing these memories, situations, and emotions in a safe and supportive way. PE is reliant on clients doing homework in-between sessions, utilizing exposure activities to confront anxiety-provoking situations in a structured manner.

Humanistic therapy is a more open, client-centered style of counselling. The humanistic approach is not necessarily as structured as other forms of therapy, and instead focuses on the individual as a whole person rather than on targeted symptoms or a specific problem in living. This form of therapy is best for those who are looking to understand themselves more deeply, build self compassion and acceptance, or reconnect to themselves.

Existential therapy is a reflective counselling approach that focuses on some of the larger issues most of us face at some point. This form of therapy assists clients to live in a way that feels authentic, and is especially helpful for those who are struggling with major life transitions, feeling lost or unsure about their life's direction, dealing with a sense of meaninglessness, or looking to better understand their place in the world.