Clarity in Chaos: Strengthening CBT in Uncertain Times

Leading with Clarity: The Strength of CBT in Uncertain Times

Taking on the CACBT presidency during a time of global instability in a post-COVID world marked by the rapid rise of AI and a growing backlash against science, is undoubtedly challenging. However, I am thrilled to serve as a President this year and would like to share some of my thoughts and perspectives for the year ahead.

We live in a world where truth feels negotiable, and polarization is growing. As a clinician, scientist, and leader, I find this daunting. And yet, I remain hopeful.

Why? Because Cognitive Behaviour Therapy offers something increasingly rare: clarity, evidence, and impact.

The Evidence Still Speaks

CBT doesn’t offer easy answers or ideological certainty. It’s grounded in decades of research and offers structured, proven tools for change. While science is increasingly dismissed or distrusted, CBT quietly continues to help people think clearly, challenge distortions, and find balance.

The Power of Humility

What sets our Canadian CBT community apart is its ethos. Our members—clinicians, researchers, educators, and students—do the work with humility and compassion. In a time of outrage and certainty, this quiet commitment to nuance and evidence is powerful.

The Role of CACBT

CACBT is more than a credentialing body. We are a community dedicated to evidence-based practice, accessibility, and public education. Our passion lies in bringing the tools of CBT to those who need them most.

As president, I see this role as an opportunity to strengthen what already makes our community exceptional, while continuing to support the growth and reach of CBT in a world that needs it more than ever.

As we look ahead, I encourage each of you to help us amplify our shared mission. Whether it’s by sharing our work on social media, attending one of our webinars, or inviting a colleague to explore CACBT membership, every action helps strengthen the voice of evidence-based care in Canada.

If you’re not yet a member, now is a perfect time to join our growing community of professionals dedicated to high-quality, accessible cognitive behavioural therapy. If you’re considering certification, take the next step and pursue CACBT-ACTCC credentialing to formally demonstrate your commitment to excellence. And of course, I hope to see many of you at our upcoming events—whether online or in person—where we continue to connect, learn, and shape the future of CBT together. We recently held our annual conference that brought together our diverse and passionate CACBT community and helped to advance our learning and application of CBT. If you haven’t already, I encourage you to explore our past conferences to get a further sense of what we offer.

Closing Thoughts

The challenges ahead are real, but so is our strength. CACBT is made up of some of the most thoughtful, skilled, and dedicated professionals I’ve worked with. In a time of noise, we offer clarity. In a time of division, we offer tools for reflection.

That’s what keeps me going. That’s what keeps me hopeful.

Fjola Helgadottir, PhD R.Psych
President, CACBT