Brief Therapy

Brief Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Brief therapy focuses on a client's present and future, rather than his or her past and it builds solutions. Many brief therapists never explore their clients' past problems, but rather focus on the present with goals for creating a positive future.

Psychologists who offer brief therapy take a more pro-active approach to offer faster care for subjective and clinical conditions. This type of therapy creates natural resources and temporarily suspends disbelief to help the client consider a range of new viewpoints or perspectives. It provides a wider context for the client to view the present, and better understandings that can bring about spontaneous change.

Unlike other therapies that focus on the problem, brief therapy is solution-based. It removes the factors that sustain a problem and prevent change. Brief therapists understands that there are many approaches that, combined, can bring about ultimate success.

If you are looking for a therapist who offers brief therapy, please browse our list of practitioners below..

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a psychological approach that deals with the way in which clients think about themselves, other people and the world. The outside world affects how we think and feel about ourselves and as a result, our behaviour. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy can help a person to change the way they think about thoughts and feelings, but it is not like other types of talk therapy.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy focuses on current issues and challenges that affect the client right now. It doesn't consider the past issues that caused distress, but rather looks for solutions that can improve the client's state of mind in the moment. Much of CBT involves looking at thought distortions that can affect mood and are affected by mood, and helps client examine and challenge distorted thinking patters.

CBT can help a range of problems, from OCD, PTSD, bulimia, stress, phobias and other issues that might seem overwhelming to the client, by breaking them down into smaller, more manageable chunks.

If you are looking for a therapist who offers Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, please browse our list of practitioners below..

Note: You may narrow your search by selecting more than one filter below.

Jim Browning

Ph.D., R.Psych
Dr. Browning has been a registered psychologist in the Vancouver area since 1980. He has worked extensively in the areas of mental health, family violence, addictions, men's issues, trauma recovery and employee... Read more

Kim Leduc

Ph.D., R.Psych
I am a registered psychologist and have been practicing since 2003. I do individual therapy with adults primarily from a psychodynamic perspective, although I incorporate other approaches such as cognitive-behavioural... Read more

Sarah Erwin

M.S.W., RSW
    • Online booking
Are you ambitious and driven, but doubting every step that you take? Are you struggling to feel worthy and fulfilled? It might not feel like it, but you're not alone. We live in a culture of "hustle and grind... Read more

Michelle Meier

M.Ed., RCC
    • Online booking
Welcome! I'm Michelle Meier, a Registered Clinical Counsellor based in Langley, British Columbia. With a passion for supporting teens and adults through various life challenges, I specialize in providing a healing... Read more

Josipa Katinic

M.Couns., RCC
    • Online booking
 I work with individuals (15+) and couples online.  My clients commonly have struggles in the following areas and are willing to and want to see and feel an improvement in their lives through a... Read more

Jonathan McVicar

Ph.D., R.Psych
Dr. Jonathan McVicar, MA, PhD (UBC), Registered Psychologist has been working with adults (ages 17+) and couples for over 20 years. During this time, he has focused his practice on relationship / marriage... Read more

Iona Monk

M.A., RCC
I am a Registered Clinical Counselor who meets with couples and individuals in private practice in Vancouver. I have been working with couples for over twenty years in private practice. I am a graduate of both... Read more

Chris Nicol

M.A., RCC
I’m a Registered Clinical Counsellor and Talk Therapist with over 12 years of lived experience in addiction, over 20 years of professional experience, and I offer telephone-based and online individual therapy... Read more
    • Online booking
I am a relationship and individual counsellor who focuses on supporting my clients in becoming more connected to eachother and to themselves.  Have you noticed that worrying is negatively impacting your life or... Read more

Kelly Archer

M.A., RCC
Kelly Archer, MA, RCC (pronouns: she/her/hers) Kelly is a clinical counsellor with over 13 years of experience working in the social services field with children, youth and young adults within outreach, community... Read more

Lida Izadi

M.A., RCC
  I am a registered clinical counsellor, an approved clinical supervisor, and an educator with extensive experience. My broad range of professional qualifications has enabled me to work with a range of mental... Read more

Alyssa Morgan

M.S.W., RSW
    • Online booking
Do you feel like you are having trouble moving past a specific event or feel like you are engaging in destructive thinking patterns or behaviors? Therapy is a safe and confidential place where you can share your... Read more

Scott Harrison

M.A., RCC
Scott is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors. Scott weaves the science and art of clinical counselling into therapeutic conversations that focus on solutions and strengths... Read more

Meagan Maddocks

M.Couns., RCC
Meagan is a registered clinical counsellor who has over 20 years of expertise in working with clients who live with chronic illnesses. Balancing life’s stressors and joys can be a difficult task. When... Read more

Lisa McLellan

M.A., RCC
If you are looking for a practically based down-to-earth counsellor with over 30 years of experience in helping others,  you have arrived at the right place. Making the decision to enter into counselling ... Read more

Sandy Boon

M.A., RCC
IN PERSON AND SECURE VIDEO-CONFERENCE AND TELEPHONE THERAPY AVAILABLE Although not all of the last 30 plus years of Sandy's professional career has been spent exclusively practicing therapy, Sandy has... Read more

Joanna Nicholson

M.A., RCC
    • Blog on profile
    • Online booking
Since 2017, I have been working in an oncology setting within the health care system. I understand that navigating illness can be incredibly lonely. Feelings of grief and depression are common reactions to health-... Read more

Joanne Schwartz

M.S.W., RSW
    • Video on profile
    • Online booking
I can help you achieve: Relief from negative thinking, anxiety and depression. Better coping mechanisms to help you overcome addictive or destructive behaviours. Balance in your day-to-day life. I aim to... Read more

David Holmes

M.A., RCC
David provides Individual and Couples Counselling. He is an Adlerian Psychotherapist, Registered Clinical Counsellor, and a Canadian Certified Counsellor at Clear Counselling private practice in downtown Vancouver.... Read more

Shelley Ugyan

M.Couns., RCC
    • Online booking
I have over 15 years experience working with low mood, stress, relationships, anxiety and eating disorders of all kinds. These underlying dysfunctional patterns can take many forms, therefore the treatment approach... Read more

Ann Downie

M.Ed., RCC
    • Online booking
Ann meets people from a position of warmth, compassion, openness and curiosity. She has a deep commitment to connect and work alongside individuals and families to develop an authentic, trusting relationship, and offers... Read more

Shelley Hine

M.Couns., RCC
I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor who blends perspectives of inclusiveness, feminism, social justice and trauma work into my counselling practice. I am trained in a variety of clinical methods and... Read more

Mary Longworth

M.Sc., RCC
Mary Longworth is in private practice (Delta Counselling) in the South Delta, Tsawwassen, Ladner and New Westminster regions since receiving her M.Sc. in marital, family and child counselling in 1995. Mary is a... Read more
My years of experience as a counsellor and a clinical supervisor have taught me that when a person is ready for change, change is possible. So if you are ready to seek insight, expand your personal growth, build... Read more

Mark Choi

M.S.W., RSW
    • Online booking
I am an individual and family therapist who works with youth, adults and families who are feeling overwhelmed. Common struggles include social and emotional challenges, mental health and/or substance use concerns. I... Read more

Eleanor Rogers

M.A., RCC
    • Video on profile
Eleanor Rogers is a Registered Clinical Counsellor offering remote counselling in British Columbia including Burnaby, Greater Vancouver, and Vancouver Island. I work with clients who are in the midst of... Read more

Annette Kasahara

M.Ed., RCC
As a Coach and Therapist Annette Kasahara provides a safe environment of acceptance and encouragement to allow clients to achieve their goals at a pace they determine. Her commitment is to assist clients to recognize... Read more

Judith Barnard

M.S.W., RSW
Greetings! My name is Judith. I have over twenty years of experience helping women find relief from the debilitating effects of panic, anxiety and depression. You may have anxiety if: your stomach constantly... Read more

Sarah Hickinbottom

Ph.D., RCC
CURRENTLY NOT ACCPETING NEW CLIENTS Counselling for Individuals Facing Significant Personal and/or Professional Transitions Sarah's practice is focused on working collaboratively with clients facing unexpected... Read more

Johanna Abraham

M.S.W., RSW
I have a Masters Degree in Social Work and 25 years of professional experience helping individuals, couples and families from a range of backgrounds deal with a variety challenges. As well as providing counseling... Read more