Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT)

This therapy takes place over a short amount of time and focuses on voluntarily modifying the thoughts and behaviours causing problems and maintaining depression. The aim is to replace them with other thoughts or behaviours that are more realistic. The psychotherapist will then start to focus on the problems that the patients are currently experiencing in order to understand their origins. This therapy is based on a collaborative effort between the patient and the therapist.

This therapy can help the patient reduce their depressive symptoms, as well as develop strategies to deal with depression and anxiety, and cultivate better self-esteem in order to achieve their goals. The objective of CBT is to gradually allow the patient to engage in pleasurable activities in their daily lives.

Several studies show that CBT is the most efficacious therapy to alleviate depressive symptoms and anxiety in the long-term.

CBT is intensive and very structured, and takes place once a week for 12 to 20 sessions. This type of therapy can also be offered to a group of 6 to 8 patients. Once the patient has improved and reached their goals, the appointments can become less and less frequent.