Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Behavior Therapy, or CBT, helps people overcome negative thinking and behaviour by addressing associated and often ingrained thought patterns. Scientific research has shown that CBT can be particularly helpful addressing issues rooted in such thought patterns. Couples In Step therapist Irene Oudyk-Suk is both trained and experienced in CBT (In addition to CBT, Irene may also use EMDR therapy with individual clients).

Negative Thinking

Dr. David Burns, author of The Feeling Good Handbook identifies many negative thought patterns, including:

1. All-or-nothing thinking that looks at things with absolute black-and-white thinking.
2. Over generalization that views a single negative event as a never-ending pattern of defeat.
3. Employing mental filters that focus on negatives while ignoring the positive.
4. Discounting the positives by insisting that your accomplishments or positive qualities don’t count.
5. Jumping to conclusions that things are bad without any definite evidence.
6. Mind reading that assumes people are reacting negatively to you.
7. Fortune-telling that predicts things will turn out badly.

Negative thinking fuels negative behaviour

While we all have negative thoughts from time to time, we usually recover with ease. But sometimes negative thinking patterns are so intense and pervasive that it is difficult to move on to positive thoughts. One’s mood, behavior, and ability to see things as they really are may be affected.

For example, suppose a person avoids social contact with others and this brings on depression. Careful questioning may uncover thoughts like “I’m a boring person; no one is interested in me.” These thoughts may well explain why someone avoids social contact. CBT counselling addresses these negative thoughts so that their power over what one does in social situations is reduced.

CBT’s goal

The goal of CBT is to change negative thought patterns. The first step is to “hear” and recognize distorted thoughts. This takes discipline and practice. Some people are so accustomed to negative thinking that it is hard for them to recognize it for what it is. However, with practice one can recognize negative thinking habits, and then, substitute more positive thoughts. This is called cognitive restructuring.

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For more information or to schedule an appointment call Couples In Step at 416-459-0956, or email Couples In Step.