Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a short-term, goal-oriented psychotherapy treatment that takes a hands-on, practical approach to problem-solving. The goal is to change the patterns of thinking or behavior that cause emotional difficulty, thus changing the behaviour associated with it. It is used to help treat a wide range of issues, from sleeping difficulties or relationship problems, to drug and alcohol abuse or anxiety and depression.

CBT works by analysing attitudes and behaviour through the thoughts, images and beliefs associated with these behaviours. The process gives us a deeper understanding of the causes of behaviour and allows the opportunity to change reactions to these causes, thus changing the behaviour.

An important advantage of cognitive behavioral therapy is that it tends to be a short term process with long term results. Clients attend one session with Dr. Armstrong per week and during this time, she works with her clients to understand what the problems are and develop new strategies for tackling them. CBT introduces patients to a set of principles that they can apply whenever they need to, and that’ll last them a lifetime.

Cognitive behavioral therapy can be thought of as a combination of psychotherapy and behavioral therapy. Psychotherapy emphasizes the importance of the personal meaning we place on things, often analysing thinking patterns that began in childhood. Behavioral therapy pays close attention to the relationship between our problems, our behavior and our thoughts. Dr. Armstrong personalizes and customizes her therapy to the specific needs and personality of each patient.