There is no single therapy that is appropriate for all, so therapists must be open to multiple approaches and treatment options to support their clients. Here are few that we use:
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) – This therapy uses a cognitive model to examine the relationships between how we think, what we feel, and how we act. It is a well-researched form of talk therapy that helps us to make sense of our beliefs (those we are aware of and those that seem to just be part of us). It is often referred to as the gold standard in talk therapy. Most frequently used to support clients with depression, anxiety, substance use disorder, and impacts from trauma.
Behavioural Activation – This therapy forms a part of CBT but can also be used as a stand-alone therapy for depression and substance use disorder. This therapy is guided by something called behaviorism. It acknowledges that when we act in ways that make us feel bad (e.g., avoiding, procrastinating) it brings with it emotions like depression because what follows is we feel bad. The opposite is also true. When we act in ways that make us feel good (e.g., finishing projects, going to the gym) we experience positive emotions.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) – While learning about CBT I was concerned that if you are living in a state of heightened alert where your body is responding by flight/freeze or fight that it is very difficult to think about thinking. That is why EMDR is important. This form of therapy is often used when a trauma (e.g., car accident, sexual assault) or repetitive exposure to trauma (hello paramedics, police, firefighters, and crisis workers) impacts the way memories are stored. Dropping a glass and breaking it can startle you and trigger your memory of the event. That isn’t the only thing that happens, because your memory wasn’t fully processed at the time of the trauma your memory causes you to smell the smells, feel the anxiety associated with the trauma as if you were right there again. These are called flashbacks and very difficult to live with. Sometimes people who are normally full of energy can find themselves struggling to get out of bed or even leave their house. This therapy is most frequently used for acute trauma and post traumatic
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) – Sometimes you have a true dilemma in your life, a big decision or a problem that you just can’t seem to fully solve. Solution Focused Brief Therapy is intended to focus on the issue and support you to arrive at the answers and actions that are right for the client.