Our Philosophy of Therapy

At ACTS, we are committed to the highest standards of professional intervention in our work with struggling individuals, couples, and families. Our in-house clinical training and supervision clearly reflect these standards by applying a cohesive and comprehensive systems-based approach to therapy. Within this approach, we apply primarily techniques from emotionally-focused therapy (EFT), which integrates attachment and systems-based theoretical models, and cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT).

What we mean by “cohesive”: our team approach allows therapists to provide services which are internally compatible and complimentary. Whether a client is assigned to one or another therapist by virtue of location or expertise, they are assured of the same quality of services because of the professional accountability of the clinical supervision and monitoring process. Supervision ratios meet OAMFT standards, and as necessary, exceed them in order to provide the highest quality of services according to the complexity of each case. This is especially necessary when various members of the family are being seen by different therapists, in order to ensure that we are intentionally working towards restoration of relationships within the couple or family systems.

What we mean by “comprehensive systems-based approach”: our therapists, even when working with an individual, are always seeking to understand all of the relationship systems in which the individual functions. Behaviour patterns are best understood from a cross-system analysis, and modification of behaviour patterns must be considered from the perspective of impact on each relationship system. In other words, the therapist who works with an individual will do so with full awareness of the individual’s process on the couple or family relationship systems.

We favour the involvement of spouse and/or family in therapeutic work and strive to make this possible whenever appropriate.

For further information on professional intervention models, please call Laure-Marie Carignan, our Clinical Director, at 1-800-417-6966, ext 227.