Therapy: What it is and how it works

By Ana Taveira, MSW, RSW and Dr. Marina Heifetz, C.Psych

As a team of clinicians, we see evidence-based therapy as a foundation for working through the various challenges life throws at us and to build our confidence, noticing all the things that are going well and that we can identify as strengths.

One of the most important aspects of any therapy is building a therapeutic alliance between the client and therapist. We work alongside our clients to help them better understand the relationship between their feelings, thoughts and behaviours. Helping people to understand how some unhelpful behaviours may be getting in the way of living life more fully. This can be done through developing skills, learning coping strategies to regulate emotions, learning and improving social skills, noticing and reframing unhelpful thoughts, engaging in pleasant activities to improve mood, as well as calming practices such as mindfulness to feel more grounded and present.

Using evidence-based treatment modalities allows us to provide interventions that have been found by researchers to be effective approaches. The Canadian Psychological Association outlines that therapists using evidence-based practice of psychological treatments “apply their knowledge of the best available research in the context of specific client characteristics, cultural backgrounds, and treatment preferences.” This process includes incorporating ethical codes and professional standards in continuously assessing and treating families, as well as continuous professional development to stay up-to-date with the research.

Examples of evidence-based treatments that we use include Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for anxiety and depression, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) for emotional dysregulation and self-destructive behaviours, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) as a way to practice living in line with our values. We anchor our practice in compassion and curiosity to provide a safe non-judgmental space for clients to navigate their challenges and learn from a strengths-based perspective that are affirming for each client’s specific needs.

To learn more about our therapy services please contact us or read more here.