Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Inclusive Online Therapy Across Ontario

“The mind is everything. What you think, you become.”

– Siddhartha Gautama Buddha, Teacher of Enlightenment

It feels like things won’t ever get better.

You don’t remember the last time you felt a weight off your shoulders. Life has been one negative thought spiral after another, and you wish your mind had an off switch.

You know you’re creating worst-case scenarios in your head, but you can’t help it. Your brain is on autopilot, fueled by every anxious thought it can find.

You’ve tried distracting yourself by zoning out and scrolling online, but the thoughts still somehow barge their way in. Your brain is screaming that something bad will happen, that you messed up, that you aren’t good enough.

Is a little peace too much to ask for?

Let’s stop those thoughts in their tracks.

Imagine those spirals losing their power.

Those worst-case scenarios? Laughable.

You’re able to see those thoughts for what they are: just thoughts, which come and go. They can’t control you anymore.

Slowly but surely, you see your mind transform from a pessimism powerhouse to a place of calm and freedom. You’re able to stop, step back, examine your thoughts, and reframe them to serve you.  

You’re able to face life’s challenges head-on, with clarity, confidence, and one more new tool: CBT.

Break free from your thinking traps.

When our thoughts betray us, CBT comes to the rescue.

By understanding the connections between your thoughts, behaviours, and feelings, CBT helps you break the cycle in real time.  

We’ll offer a non-judgmental space for you to explore your thoughts and feelings openly. Nothing is too messy or complicated, and we’ll never judge.  

You’ll slowly start to replace bad habits with healthier thinking that’s a little less scary and a lot more true.  

If you’re stuck in a thought trap, CBT could be the key you’ve been missing.

Who this type of therapy is for:

 → You feel out of control when it comes to your thoughts. Anxiety and stress are in the driver’s seat, and you wish your brain had a pause button.

→ You’re living in worst-case scenarios, always thinking about what could go wrong.  

→ You know that you aren’t a bad person, but it’s hard to believe that when your thoughts keep telling you how much you’ve screwed up.  

→ You’re more interested in living in the present and taking actionable steps than doing a deep dive into your past.

→ You’re willing to do the work, be challenged, and maybe even do some homework exercises to make sure you’re solid (don’t worry, we’ll make it enjoyable!)

What Is CBT?

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or CBT, is a highly effective and evidence-based talk therapy that helps you understand your thoughts, feelings, behaviours, and the links between them. In others words, if you’re someone who struggles with negative thought spirals, CBT empowers you to be a cycle-breaker. It’s often considered the gold standard of talk therapy, and is one of the most well researched and understood psychotherapy treatments.

CBT works based on the understanding that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours are interconnected. Negative or unhelpful thoughts can really get in the way of living our best life. Your worries, doubts, and self-judgment can all add pain and stress to your everyday life. For example, if we have an unhelpful belief about ourselves, that might cause us to feel shameful, which might lead us to withdraw and feel even more isolated. We might cope through unhealthy habits and avoidance, or become overwhelmed by depression and anxiety. but it can be changed.

How? CBT might be the answer. Rather than getting stuck in negative automatic thoughts, CBT can help you pause, take a breather, examine your thoughts, and reframe them to become helpful over harmful.

Is CBT for me?

Like any therapy, CBT will not be the best fit for everyone. Here are a few issues that CBT is especially well-suited for:

  • Anger management

  • Anxiety, panic attacks, & phobias

  • Chronic pain or illness

  • Depression

  • Eating disorders

  • OCD

  • Relationship challenges

  • Self-esteem, self-confidence, & personal growth

  • Stress & burnout

  • Substance use & addiction

CBT may be less effective for treating personality disorders, complex trauma, and other issues where the root cause is greater than thoughts alone.

If CBT doesn’t feel like your best fit, no problem! Our therapists use a range of methods to support you, and we’ll work together to customize therapy in a way that actually does fit. Check out a few of our other therapy styles here!

Why Choose Counterspiral?

Our team is a unique group with some important things in common.

  • We all deeply care about social justice, equity, and making the world a better place. We are actively anti-racist, queer and trans affirming, and we celebrate neurodiversity.

  • We are compassionate, supportive, and educated therapists who use evidence-based best practices to customize each session, just for you. And we’re also real people who will laugh with you, hold space for you, and authentically connect with you. We fully show up in session so that you have a brave and safe space to let it all out.

  • We know that therapy is really about you, so we’ll always do our best to match you to a team member who is a great fit.

  • You can get to know us better by visiting our Meet the Team page. We can’t wait to meet you!

Healing requires safety. Here are a few ways we offer it.

Let’s get started.