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e-Visions-Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Vol. 6 | No. 1 | 2009
Background
Editor’s Message
–Sarah Hamid-Balma
Sarah reflects on her own experiences with CBT and wonders why so many people can’t take advantage of this cheap, effective and side effect-free treatment option.
The Time is Now: Let’s improve access to CBT services in BC
–Mark Lau
Cognitive-behavioural therapy, or CBT, is a type of talk therapy that explains how our thoughts, feelings and behaviours are related and affect each other. It’s been shown to be as effective as medication—sometimes even more effective than medication—in treating many mental health and substance use problems. Unfortunately, it can be very hard to access CBT services.
CBT in Practice: Part science, part art
–Michelle Patterson
If you think that things will never work out for you, you might not try new things or new opportunities. This can make you feel even worse. Michelle explains the science of the “vicious circle” of thoughts, feeling and behaviours and the art of engaging clients in CBT treatment.
CBT: What is it?
–Nichole Fairbrother
CBT can be used to treat many different problems, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, psychosis, substance use problems and sleep disorders. The “ingredients” of therapy might be a little different depending on the type of problem, but there are many common features in CBT treatment.
Experiences and Perspectives
Conversations with Myself
–Danielle Raymond
An eating disorder left Danielle tired, hungry and afraid. With the help of her CBT skills, she’s fighting back and regaining control of her life.
From Pain to PTSD: Running the gamut of CBT
–Lynda Marie Neilson
Today, Lynda can walk more often on busy streets. She volunteers and is working to finish her degree. But it took a lot of hard work to get there. Follow her journey from CBT treatment for pain management to post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.
When Life’s Demands Take Their Toll: Changeways for depression
–Pat Merrett
Joe realized that he needed more than medication to help him cope with depression. His wife and doctor suggested Changeways, a CBT-based program for people with depression. But Joe wasn’t sure if therapy would help—or if he could even get into the program.
Alternatives and Approaches
The LEAF Program: Peer-led group CBT
–Shelly Jones
LEAF (Living Effectively with Anxiety and Fear) is a program for people with panic disorder. It’s led by people who’ve used CBT to help overcome their own anxiety disorders. As LEAF leader Shelly explains, helping others use CBT is beneficial for participants and leaders alike.
The Congitive Behavioural Approach to Treating Individuals with Eating Disorders
–Ron Manley
If a passenger on the bus looks at you, would you assume that they’re judging you and think you “fat,” or would you think that they might be admiring you? One of the goals of CBT for eating disorders is to help clients recognize these automatic thoughts and see how unrealistic these thoughts can be.
Metacognitive Training: Influencing schizophrenia treatment worldwide
–Todd Woodward
Metacognitive training, or MCT, teaches people with schizophrenia and psychosis to “think about their thinking.” By recognizing thinking distortions, you can work to control delusional thoughts and even help prevent psychotic breakdown.
CBT for Children and Youth in BC
–Gayle Read
About one in seven children and youth in BC have a mental illness, so it’s important that they can access services that work. Find out how the Ministry of Children and Family Development is helping young people from across the province get CBT.
CBT: Does it work well with the Chinese Population in Vancouver?
–Mary Kam and Kelly Ng
The Chinese character for “tolerate” looks like a knife over the heart: if we tolerate too much, the knife can stab at our heart and lead to depression. But we can take away the knife by learning positive coping skills. This is just one example of how SUCCESS, a service agency, modified a CBT-based depression program for Chinese clients.
Regional Programs
CBT for Adults with Mental Health Problems: Working to improve access in BC
–Jamie Livingston, Mark Lau, Dolores Escudero, Eric Ochs, Gayle Read, Pam Whiting, Maureen Whittal and Chris Wilson
Medication is often the only choice for people with mental health problems because there aren’t enough trained CBT practitioners in the province. Unfortunately, this also means that mental health problems in people who can’t take medication or don’t want to take medication may be left untreated. The BC CBT Network is working to improve the availability, accessibility and affordability of CBT services across the province.
Help with Mild to Moderate Depression: CBT-based self-management options
–Dan Bilsker
Mood self-management teaches you skills to manage your own moods. When a BC psychologist realized that people with mild to moderate depression weren’t receiving this through the mental health system, he worked to create self-management workbooks that anyone could use.
Taming Worry Dragons: Helping children and adolescents cope with anxiety
–Jane Garland and Noel Gregorowski
Worries and anxiety dragons sometimes boss children around, but children can learn to use their imaginations to fight back. A dragon tamer in training might learn how to lock their worries in a jar and put it on a shelf, or learn how their bravery can help them face feared situations. Taming Worry Dragons is a fun and imaginative program, using books and groups, to help children (and parents) understand and cope with anxiety.
Bounce Back: Reclaim Your Health
–Kimberley McEwan
Research shows that CBT doesn’t have to be delivered by a psychologist for people with mild-to-moderate depression or anxiety: self-help and guided self-help may be just as effective. Bounce Back: Reclaim Your Health is a free, CBT-based self-help and guided self-help program that’s helping thousands of British Columbians cope with depression and anxiety.
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