The Ottawa Institute of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (OICBT)

The OICBT is a private practice clinic composed of therapists with expertise in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).  We use CBT to help our clients identify and overcome obstacles that are interfering with their life goals and sense of well-being.  Most of the therapists at the OICBT have been involved in hospital-based practice and have received in-depth training in the delivery of evidence-based treatments.  

At the OICBT, we aim to be responsive to our community. Our goal is to meet the needs of our clients by offering individual, couples, and group therapy, home- and community-based services, as well as intensive treatment programs.  Research and best-practice guidelines inform our decisions about treatment.  We also aim to provide structured opportunities for professional development, supervision, and evaluation research.  In order to achieve these goals we have developed strong ties to academic and hospital-based institutions and other mental health providers in the community.  As such, we are actively involved in providing consulting services to public and private sector organizations.

Our Therapeutic Approach
Our team has a wealth of experience using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to treat psychological problems.  (Click here for more information on CBT).  In addition, most of our staff also use other approaches that are derived from or that complement CBT, including:

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

  • Mindfulness-integrated Cognitive Behavior Therapy (MiCBT)

  • Schema Focused Therapy 

Our Clients
We provide services to children, adolescents, adults and seniors.  Services are available in English, French, Hindi, Telugu, Urdu, and Greek.

The Problems We Treat
We help clients improve their mood, reduce their anxiety, learn to relax, cope with stress, regulate their emotions and manage their anger, be more productive, improve their couples and interpersonal relationships, find a better balance between personal life and work, cope with illness, work towards personal goals (e.g., dieting, exercising), and more.

Here is a list of some of the specific problems that we treat:

  • Adjustment Disorders

  • Anger Management

  • Anxiety

  • Assertivenes

  • Bipolar Disorder

  • Body Dysmorphic Disorders

  • Borderline Personality Disorder

  • Chronic/Acute Health Problems

  • Couples difficulties

  • Depression

  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder

  • Grief

  • Hair Pulling (Trichotillomania)

  • Health Anxiety

  • Hoarding

  • Interpersonal Problems

  • Life Transitions (e.g., divorce, parenthood, retirement)

  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

  • Pain

  • Panic Attacks and Disorder

  • Perfectionism

  • Phobias (e.g., heights)

  • Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

  • Procrastination

  • Self-Esteem Problems

  • Self-Harm

  • Sexuality Issues

  • Skin-Picking (Excoriation)

  • Social Anxiety Disorder

  • Substance Use (e.g., alcohol, drugs)

  • Suicidal Thoughts

  • Work Stress

  • Worry

*Please note that at the moment we are not providing services for the following problems: moderate to severe symptoms of psychosis, post-concussion syndromes, neurological disorders (dementia, TBI, essential tremor, etc.), moderate to severe disordered eating, and severe substance abuse disorder.  If we are not able to offer treatment, you will be informed as soon as possible and provided contact information of alternative resources to meet your needs.

What Is the Process to Be Seen?
Clients who are interested in receiving services can book an information call at no charge with one of our clinicians by clicking the “Book Now” button at the top of our homepage. This purpose of this call is to give you more information about our services so that you can determine whether they are a fit for your needs. If you wish to proceed with a general intake assessment, it will be scheduled at that time. Following the general intake assessment you will be provided with treatment recommendations and notified of the associated costs. In some cases, further assessment may be required to determine your treatment needs and availability of suitable services at the OICBT, in which case you will be notified of the costs and possible outcomes/recommendations. In-depth information on our intake process can be found here.