Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is a psychological treatment (or “psychotherapy”) that involves analyzing the interactions between a person’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, and helping the individual to develop more effective patterns in these areas. A number of Cognitive-Behavioural techniques have been developed and proven effective in treating a number of mental health and behavioural issues, including all of those listed above. CBT is derived from a combination of Behavioural Learning Theory (the same foundation as related therapeutic approaches like Applied Behaviour Analysis or ABA) and other cognitive theories from the field of psychology.
For highly verbal individuals on the Autism Spectrum experiencing mental health and behavioural difficulties, CBT can be quite effective at teaching self-regulation skills that will help alleviate many of these symptoms. CBT is generally a time-limited intervention which may include individual one-to-one sessions with a trained therapist, group therapy sessions, or ideally a combination of both.
CBT Services at the ABA Learning Centre
ABA Learning Centre offers Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy for adolescents and young adults from the ages of 13-18 years of age, primarily based out of our Richmond office. An initial intake interview and assessment session would be scheduled to begin. All clients receiving CBT will receive individual therapy sessions with a trained Cognitive-Behaviour Therapist and Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA). Depending on the needs assessment, entry into concurrent group CBT for skills training may also be decided to be a part of the client’s program.
Depending on a client’s individual needs as determined during ongoing assessment, self-monitoring, and collaborative therapeutic goals, clients receiving CBT therapy will work with the therapist to acquire and effectively use skills in the areas of:
- Personal Goal-Setting
- Interpersonal Effectiveness (Social Interaction Skills)
- Distress Tolerance
- Stress Management and Relaxation
- Emotion Regulation
- Mindfulness and focusing
- Anger Management
- Other Skills as Appropriate
In most cases, these skills will initially be taught in the Group CBT sessions, providing the opportunity for the client to learn these skills in a classroom-like environment along with their peers. Individual one-to-one sessions will involve focusing on discussing and analyzing personal circumstances in which the client is encountering difficulties in their everyday life, problem-solving to determine what new skills might be used when encountering these situations, and then practicing these new skills. The new skills are learned and practiced through instruction, modeling, and role-play in session, as well as with scheduled trips into the client’s everyday environment to assist them to practice these skills where they are most needed.
For more information please contact Gabriel Schnerch at 604-232-4122 or gabriel@abacentre.ca
