Depression, anxiety, social phobia and other mental disorders are the result of distorted, irrational thought patterns. These habitual distortions in thinking, or automatic thoughts, can cause people to withdraw, panic, avoid situations or engage in other self-defeating or self-damaging behaviour. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) uses structured and directive techniques to alter dysfunctional thought patterns by weakening the connection between distressing situations and automatic reactions. Patients learns how to identify and manage irrational thoughts; to cope through controlled exposure. CBT combines two very effective forms of psychotherapy: cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy. Cognitive therapy helps you understand how certain patterns of thinking are causing and maintaining your symptoms. Distorted thinking influences our emotions and can lead us to feel depressed, anxious, and angry. By changing our distorted thoughts we can control our behaviours and feelings. Behaviour therapy weakens the connection between situations and the automatic reactions to them. Reactions such as withdrawing and isolating, avoiding situations, and engaging in other self-defeating or self-damaging behaviours, can cause depression, anxiety and other unpleasant feelings. Changing our behaviours we can control our thoughts and feelings. CBT can offer powerful tools to help you understand why it is what you do, and how to change and control the way you think, feel and behave
Paula Conforti is a registered Member of the College of Psychologists who has been working in the field of psychology for the past 25 years. She has received training in hospitals, mental health facilities, schools and private practice. While completing her Degrees at the University of Toronto, Paula has had the privilege of, both working, and studying, beside leading researchers in psychology, psychiatry, neurology, and genetics at the Hospital for Sick Children. She has been a co-author of numerous publications in well-respected journals, has presented papers at professional conferences, and has conducted presentations within a school and community forum. Paula has been appointed the Vice-President of the Ontario Association of Psychological Associates.
Dr. Joanne Coutts is a registered psychologist in Pickering. If you feel your behavioural issues are getting out of control, she provides training in crucial areas like anger management and assertiveness. She also assesses and addresses problems like stress, depression, trauma and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Visit her website for information about other areas of practice such as cognitive behaviour therapy.
To provide compassionate and effective behaviour modificationOur Vision:To improve the lives of individuals, families and communitiesWe provide adults, adolescents and children with effective psychotherapy. Offering individual and group treatment options, we will help you achieve your goals for change so that you live a healthy and rewarding life.
Psychologists, Women Issues, Depression, Anxiety, Post Traumatic Stress, Panic, Motor Vehicle Accident Rehabilitation, Assessments
The power to change, to grow and to become a better functioning person lies within each individual.
A helping relationship will assist to clarify a person's sources of conflict, to remove emotional blockages and to release a person's natural potential for growth.
Professional help will assist a person to take responsibility for life choices, to find new solutions to old problems, to facilitate important decisions and to overcome barriers which affect daily functioning.
Over 20 Years Experience, Psychological Treatment For Children And Teenagers, Psychological Treatment For Adults And Couples, Ph.D. In Psychology From The University Of Toronto, Worked -University Of Toronto Psychological Clinic
Dr. Teehan is a certified psychologist with over 20 years experience offering consultation, crisis management,
in-depth personality assessment and both short and long term psychological treatment for children, teenagers, adults, couples and families in Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax and the Durham Region.