CBT – Waterloo CBT Clinic

square going into brain and after cognitive distortions coming out as circle

Posted: January 22, 2026

Blog

Cognitive Distortions: A Deeper Dive into Negatively Biased Thinking Patterns

Have you ever caught yourself in a tornado of negative self talk? Cognitive distortions, also known as unhelpful thinking patterns, are negatively biased errors in our thoughts. These thinking patterns can become habitual, leading to negative emotional states, which further reinforce negative thoughts (Rnic et al., 2016). The outcome? A vicious cycle of negativity.

scrabble tiles spelling out you said tomorrow yesterday

Posted: October 14, 2025

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Procrastination: What It Is, Why It Happens, and How You Can Fix It

With the school year beginning and activities coming back into full swing, one habit tends to loom undetected until it becomes a nuisance: procrastination. Whether it’s cramming the night before an exam, submitting a paper at exactly 11:59, pushing errands or postponing payments until the very last minute, we have all procrastinated at some point in our lives.

Posted: June 5, 2025

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Understanding OCD and How CBT Can Help

Have you ever had a disturbing thought pop into your mind out of nowhere - and then spent several minutes or hours worrying about what it means or why you had this thought to begin with? Maybe you find yourself checking appliances, locks, texts or emails repeatedly. Perhaps you go to great lengths to avoid certain numbers, words, or situations because they just don’t feel right. Or perhaps you seek reassurance from friends, family, or Chat GPT to see if you’re a good person. If any of this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. These are common experiences for people living with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

Posted: May 14, 2025

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All About Panic Disorder

Anxiety is an emotion that everyone experiences, typically in response to perceived threats. Whether it is the impeding pressure of deadlines at work, a job interview, meeting someone for the first time, or performing in front of a crowd, mild levels of anxiety can be beneficial in motivating us to do our best. However, anxiety disorders differ from experiencing the emotion of anxiety. Anxiety disorders are characterized by excessive fear and anxiety that is out of proportion to the situation a person is facing and that causes significant distress or impedes normal functioning in daily life.

Man with stacked boxes that may fall over labelled with stressful items

Posted: August 21, 2024

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How to Overcome the Feeling of Being Overwhelmed

Life can be stressful. Balancing school/work, financial responsibilities, relationship stressors, or health/mental health concerns—all while in the midst of a global pandemic—it is easy to feel like you are struggling to stay afloat. If you find yourself questioning "how do I overcome this feeling of being overwhelmed", you are not alone. A recent poll conducted by statistics Canada revealed that one-quarter of Canadians are experiencing extreme stress most days.

Therapist talking to a group of 3 patients

Posted: September 18, 2023

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All About Group Therapy

In recent years there has been an increasing demand for mental health services in Canada. The increased awareness of the importance of mental health, reduced stigma, and modern stressors including the pandemic have increased people’s readiness to engage in psychological treatments. Although group therapy is not a new concept, there is increased access to this format of treatment as group sessions are able to effectively target a number of concerns while increasing efficiency and reducing cost. Furthermore, group treatments offer some unique benefits including meeting other people who may have shared experiences as well as opportunities for social connection.

Posted: July 27, 2023

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The Effects of Exercise on Mental Health

The health benefits of physical exercise are well understood and it is undisputed that exercise prevents and improves a number of health conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease1. However, more recent research shows that the positive effects of exercise are not limited to your physical health. Have you ever wondered why you feel better after your morning walk or trip to the gym? Or what exactly your friend means when they talk about their “runner’s high”? Exercise has been proven to have profound positive effects on mental health and overall wellbeing.

Person talking with therapist sitting in chairs

Posted: November 27, 2022

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Different Types of Mental Health Professionals and What They Do

Mental health is complex, and requires a variety of different supports and treatments. Seeking help for mental, emotional, or relationship issues can be daunting as there are a number of mental health professionals who are able to provide various services—it can be hard to know where to begin! Finding the right professional will help meet your treatment goals.

Posted: October 16, 2022

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A Basic Guide to Understanding CBT

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based therapy, meaning that research findings support its usefulness in improving mental health. Pioneered by Aaron Beck in the 1960s, CBT is regarded as a collaborative process between the counsellor and client with a brief, goal-oriented approach. Through this therapy, you will develop awareness of how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours are interconnected, and then use that information to begin challenging old thinking habits and behaviours.

Person using Smartphone with Touchscreen

Posted: August 23, 2022

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Smartphone Apps to Improve your Mental Health

Not surprisingly, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the need for mental healthcare, which has in turn led to the development of new online services. In our expanding technological world, there is an abundance of helpful mental health apps and websites to choose from. Like traditional self-help and in-person mental health services, many of these online tools target self-management, challenging unhelpful thinking styles, skills-training, social support, and symptom and mood tracking.