Dr. Day draws primarily upon Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) approaches in working with clients. ACT is a powerful new type of CBT psychotherapy based on research into how the human mind works. It has been clinically proven to be successful with a wide range of psychological problems, including anxiety, depression, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, chronic low self-esteem and difficulties coping with stress. Two central themes of therapy are often: 1) Learning how to better accept those things that are out of your control; 2) and commit to changing those things that can be changed to make your life better. ACT is not like many other therapies where you just talk about your problems. In psychotherapy with Dr. Day you will actively learn new skills to improve your quality of life.

One aim of psychotherapy will be to teach you a set of skills that will enable you to handle painful thoughts and feelings more effectively, so that they have much less impact and influence over you. You will learn to use skills ‘mindfulness skills’ to help you with this. Mindfulness is a mental state of awareness, openness, acceptance and focus. In a state of mindfulness, painful thoughts and feelings have much less impact on us. In a state of mindfulness, you can learn to effectively handle even the most difficult feelings, urges, memories, thoughts and sensations – and learn to break self-defeating habits or destructive patterns of behaviour; let go of self-defeating beliefs; rise beyond your fears, and change your attitude in life-enhancing ways.

A second aim of psychotherapy will be to help you create a rich, full and meaningful life. Dr. Day will spend some time talking with you about what you really want out of life and what is most important and meaningful to you. Clarifying your values regarding what you want to do and how you want to be during your short time on this planet will be key setting the direction we embark on in psychotherapy. Using that information as a guide, you will begin to set concrete goals and take action to change your life for the better - and in the process, develop a sense of meaning, purpose and vitality.