Abbotsford Counselling: CBT at Straight Path Counselling

Abbotsford Counselling Using CBT Techniques

Abbotsford counselling services are available to all residents in British Columbia and may be helpful to those who are struggling with depression, stress, anxiety, marriage and relationship conflict, grief, and other mental health challenges. Straight Path Counselling, located in Abbotsford, offers counselling to those needing support, offering Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) as one of their therapies. CBT is a therapeutic modality widely used by Abbotsford counsellors and is a popular method used in counselling practices in British Columbia. Straight Path Counselling uses CBT methodology and techniques intertwined with other therapeutic modalities, such as mindfulness therapies, solution and strength-based therapies, and a client-centred approach in their counselling practice, allowing helpful and tangible interventions and theory to help individuals overcome psychological struggles. CBT is beneficial in addressing and helping a wide range of mental health struggles, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD),  substance abuse, and stress-related issues.

One reason Straight Path Counselling draws on CBT is its goal-oriented and strength-based approach while addressing negative thought patterns, giving clients the autonomy to speak their story, consider alternative perspectives, and take control of their thoughts to diminish the presence of negative automatic thoughts. Clients often express positive feedback to counsellors who use CBT, mentioning that the benefits of CBT are remarkable, allowing them to feel heard, seen, empowered, and more in control of their lives and moods. Abbotsford counsellors and counsellors across British Columbia rely on CBT practices due to the substantial research conducted and strong evidence base, making it a primary therapeutic technique to draw upon for counsellors. Abbotsford counsellors may also offer CBT counselling since it is considered a short-term therapy, usually lasting about 10-15 sessions, giving clients a clear goal and timeline for their counselling sessions. Clients with insurance or benefits covering their counselling will benefit immensely from CBT and its short-term layout since they can complete targeted counselling goals in a set amount of time.

Straight Path Counselling has Abbotsford counsellors who are trained in CBT, allowing them to provide a comprehensive treatment plan, including understanding the client and their presenting issues, allowing them to collaborate with the client and set clear goals, and providing the client with techniques and tools to help develop ways to overcome future challenges. The treatment plan that consists of tools, strategies, and techniques obtained from talk therapy sessions is also essential for relapse prevention. Relapse can occur with many different struggles, such as substance abuse, addictions, and changing unhealthy habits; however, CBT hones in on the negative thoughts and cognitions of an individual, helping them change unhelpful thought patterns that may be leading them to a relapse, and also sets the client up with a relapse prevention plan to help overcome temptations and potential relapses.

Overall, CBT shows many benefits and positive features to help many different mental health struggles and life challenges, from mild stress to substance abuse and severe depression. Straight Path Counselling offers Abbotsford counselling rooted in CBT to those who need support and guidance to overcome any life struggle.

CBT Strategy: Cognitive Restructuring Technique

Cognitive restructuring is a beneficial and popular CBT technique and intervention used by many Abbotsford counsellors across British Columbia, Canada. Cognitive restructuring offers an alternative perspective for clients, giving them the autonomy to consider different points of view before settling on a primary thought. At Straight Path Counselling, the counsellor would encourage the client to express their thoughts and emotions on a matter they are struggling with or may feel anxious or sad about, allowing both the client and counsellor to explore alternative viewpoints and identify any flawed thinking patterns, such as an all or nothing way of thinking, catastrophizing, and other problematic thinking practices hindering them.

Cognitive restructuring allows the client to identify and acknowledge negative thoughts and problematic and distorted thought patterns and replace these thoughts with realistic and logical thoughts based on facts and evidence. Identifying facts is possible through talk therapy with a registered clinical counsellor since the conversation may help bring the client clarity and provide a new perspective. Through talking with an Abbotsford counsellor at Straight Path Counselling, the client may list the facts and evidence about a particular stressor, thought, or emotion, allowing them to put aside negative or irrational thoughts derived from strong emotions that cloud judgment. A counsellor may also encourage the client to write down the facts and evidence against a reoccurring negative thought on paper, providing the extra benefit of visually seeing a list to process.

One core belief of cognitive restructuring is that by changing our negative thoughts, we can improve our emotional and behavioural responses. The cognitive restructuring technique may allow clients to acknowledge their emotions and work through them in a controlled and neutral environment, avoiding the possibility of the feelings clouding their judgment on a situation or matter. Counselling offers the benefit of stepping out of the emotion and distancing from a triggering environment, providing the client with a safe and neutral space to talk and explore their thoughts and emotions. Cognitive restructuring includes several components, such as identifying the negative thought the client is experiencing and even writing it down, looking at the facts and what evidence can be used against the thought, considering alternatives to challenge the thought, and acknowledging any cognitive distortions interfering, such as catastrophizing or all-or-nothing thinking. Reinforcing the new positive thought, based on evidence and facts, will help the client to overcome the recurring negative thought and help build more self-assurance in their ability to overcome anxiety and stress-provoking future situations.

Straight Path Counselling: Abbotsford Counsellor

Straight Path Counselling is founded on ethical, professional, confidential, and empathetic principles, allowing you to explore your innermost thoughts and emotions in a safe and comfortable atmosphere, without judgment. With a client-centred approach, our Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) can help guide you with sincere empathy and understanding to help you find your path. Straight Path Counselling is located in Abbotsford, British Columbia and offers both in-person and virtual counselling sessions. Abbotsford counselling and counselling to all of British Columbia are available at any time for your convenience. Straight Path Counselling offers individual, couples & marriage, and youth & child counselling, providing service to all ages and all life struggles. If you’d like more information about Straight Path Counselling and our RCC Abbotsford counsellor, check out our website and book a session today!

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Erica Fussi, M.A, B.A, RCC

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