Find a Therapist for Negative Thinking
Getting stuck in cycles of negative thoughts can be exhausting. Browse therapists who help with rumination and negative thinking patterns, and watch their intro videos to find someone who resonates with you.
Negative thinking and rumination—when you get stuck replaying worries, criticisms, or worst-case scenarios—can affect your mood, sleep, and overall wellbeing. These thought patterns are common and often develop as a way of trying to solve problems or protect yourself, but they can become overwhelming.
Working with a therapist can help you understand your thought patterns, develop new ways of relating to difficult thoughts, and build skills to break the cycle. On First Session, you can browse therapists who specialize in cognitive approaches. Watch their intro videos to find the right fit and book online when ready.
Ghazal Ghoddousi
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Virtual Sessions in ON, AB, BC, MB, and SK.
Waitlist
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Ghazal Ghoddousi
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
She/Her
Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Personal Growth, Empowerment, Life transitions, Childhood trauma, Self-Criticism, People pleasing, Negative thinking and ruminating, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Depression, Boundaries and boundary setting, Behavioural Issues, Cultural Challenges, Interpersonal dynamics, Navigating challenging relationships, Building Meaningful Connections, Identity and Self-Exploration
Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Personal Growth, Empowerment, Life transitions, Childhood trauma, Self-Criticism, People pleasing, Negative thinking and ruminating, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Depression, Boundaries and boundary setting, Behavioural Issues, Cultural Challenges, Interpersonal dynamics, Navigating challenging relationships, Building Meaningful Connections, Identity and Self-Exploration
Shannon Bradley
Registered Psychotherapist
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Shannon Bradley
Registered Psychotherapist
She/Her
Anger, Emotional regulation, Confidence, Familial and social relationships, Family Conflict, Goal Setting, Maternal mental health, Mindfulness, Negative thinking and ruminating, Parental divorce, Parenting, Performance anxiety, School challenges, Self-Development, Separation anxiety, Thought Restructuring, Social anxiety, Attachment, Trauma, Sexuality and gender issues, Grief and Loss
Anger, Emotional regulation, Confidence, Familial and social relationships, Family Conflict, Goal Setting, Maternal mental health, Mindfulness, Negative thinking and ruminating, Parental divorce, Parenting, Performance anxiety, School challenges, Self-Development, Separation anxiety, Thought Restructuring, Social anxiety, Attachment, Trauma, Sexuality and gender issues, Grief and Loss
Liz Spaargaren
Registered Therapeutic Counsellor
Virtual Sessions in AB.
Waitlist
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Liz Spaargaren
Registered Therapeutic Counsellor
ADHD, Wellness Counselling, Life transitions, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Self-Care Routines, Burnout, Effective communication, Familial and social relationships, Mind-body connection, Women's Health, Transitioning into Adulthood, Separation and divorce, Negative thinking and ruminating, Personal Growth, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Meaning and purpose, Navigating challenging relationships, College or University Coaching
ADHD, Wellness Counselling, Life transitions, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Self-Care Routines, Burnout, Effective communication, Familial and social relationships, Mind-body connection, Women's Health, Transitioning into Adulthood, Separation and divorce, Negative thinking and ruminating, Personal Growth, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Meaning and purpose, Navigating challenging relationships, College or University Coaching
Michael Wassef
Registered Psychotherapist
Virtual Sessions in ON, BC, and AB.
Waitlist
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Michael Wassef
Registered Psychotherapist
Relationships, Couples Therapy, Attachment trauma, Anger, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Behaviour, Boundaries and boundary setting, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Addiction, Childhood trauma, Depression, Family issues, Effective communication, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Parenting, Conflict resolution, Habits, Infidelity, Navigating challenging relationships, Trauma, Stress, Social anxiety, Self-Regulation, Relationship anxiety, Overwhelm, Negative thinking and ruminating, Motivation, Life transitions, Intimacy concerns, Highly Sensitive Person, Emotional regulation, Christian counselling, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Break-up recovery, Grief and Loss
Relationships, Couples Therapy, Attachment trauma, Anger, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Behaviour, Boundaries and boundary setting, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Addiction, Childhood trauma, Depression, Family issues, Effective communication, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Parenting, Conflict resolution, Habits, Infidelity, Navigating challenging relationships, Trauma, Stress, Social anxiety, Self-Regulation, Relationship anxiety, Overwhelm, Negative thinking and ruminating, Motivation, Life transitions, Intimacy concerns, Highly Sensitive Person, Emotional regulation, Christian counselling, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Break-up recovery, Grief and Loss
Maria Chaplick
Registered Psychotherapist
Virtual Sessions in ON and BC.
Waitlist
Maria Chaplick
Registered Psychotherapist
she/her
Anger, Anxiety, Negative thinking and ruminating, Anger Management, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Behavioural Issues, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Meaningful Connections, Building Self-Care Routines, Burnout, Break-up recovery, Effective communication, Emotional regulation, Empowerment, Family Conflict, Fears and phobia, Habits, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Meaning and purpose, Mindfulness, Motivation, Navigating challenging relationships, Stress, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Grief and Loss
Anger, Anxiety, Negative thinking and ruminating, Anger Management, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Behavioural Issues, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Meaningful Connections, Building Self-Care Routines, Burnout, Break-up recovery, Effective communication, Emotional regulation, Empowerment, Family Conflict, Fears and phobia, Habits, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Meaning and purpose, Mindfulness, Motivation, Navigating challenging relationships, Stress, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Grief and Loss
Lea Konforte
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Virtual Sessions in MB, YT, NU, AB, NT, NL, BC, and ON.
Waitlist
Lea Konforte
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
She/Her
Anxiety, Relationships, Infertility, Fertility, Life transitions, Attachment trauma, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Break-up recovery, Burnout, Chronic and acute illness, Conflict resolution, Dating challenges, Emotional regulation, Family issues, Goal Setting, Intergenerational trauma, Mind-body connection, Nervous system regulation, Negative thinking and ruminating, Spirituality, Stress, Workplace stress, Grief and Loss
Anxiety, Relationships, Infertility, Fertility, Life transitions, Attachment trauma, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Break-up recovery, Burnout, Chronic and acute illness, Conflict resolution, Dating challenges, Emotional regulation, Family issues, Goal Setting, Intergenerational trauma, Mind-body connection, Nervous system regulation, Negative thinking and ruminating, Spirituality, Stress, Workplace stress, Grief and Loss
Michael Chu
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Michael Chu
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
He/Him/His
Aging, Anxiety, Boundaries and boundary setting, Burnout, Childhood trauma, Competitive anxiety, Conflict resolution, Cultural Challenges, Dating challenges, Decision making, Deep connections, Depression, Dreams, Effective communication, Emotional regulation, Empowerment, Existential questions, Ethics, Familial and social relationships, Grief Processing, Imposter syndrome, Interpersonal dynamics, Intergenerational trauma, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Meaning and purpose, Motivation, Negative thinking and ruminating, Social anxiety, Stress, Thought Restructuring, Transformative dream work, Transitioning into Adulthood, Trauma processing, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Vulnerability, Wellness Counselling, Workplace stress, Trauma, BIPOC, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration
Aging, Anxiety, Boundaries and boundary setting, Burnout, Childhood trauma, Competitive anxiety, Conflict resolution, Cultural Challenges, Dating challenges, Decision making, Deep connections, Depression, Dreams, Effective communication, Emotional regulation, Empowerment, Existential questions, Ethics, Familial and social relationships, Grief Processing, Imposter syndrome, Interpersonal dynamics, Intergenerational trauma, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Meaning and purpose, Motivation, Negative thinking and ruminating, Social anxiety, Stress, Thought Restructuring, Transformative dream work, Transitioning into Adulthood, Trauma processing, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Vulnerability, Wellness Counselling, Workplace stress, Trauma, BIPOC, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration
Alicia Mandel
Registered Psychotherapist
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Alicia Mandel
Registered Psychotherapist
She/Her/Hers
Nervous system regulation, Depression, Anxiety, Attachment trauma, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Childhood trauma, Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities, Negative thinking and ruminating, People pleasing, Mindfulness
Nervous system regulation, Depression, Anxiety, Attachment trauma, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Childhood trauma, Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities, Negative thinking and ruminating, People pleasing, Mindfulness
Ean Burchell
Registered Counselling Therapist
Virtual Sessions in ON, NS, NB, PE, and NL.
Waitlist
Ean Burchell
Registered Counselling Therapist
Men's issues, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Thought Restructuring, Anxiety, Behavioural Issues, Couples, Depression, Conflict resolution, Emotional regulation, Court Mandated Counselling, Existential questions, Family issues, Fears and phobia, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), LGBTQ2IA+, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Masculinity, School challenges, Negative thinking and ruminating, Phobias, PTSD, Trauma, Anger, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration
Men's issues, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Thought Restructuring, Anxiety, Behavioural Issues, Couples, Depression, Conflict resolution, Emotional regulation, Court Mandated Counselling, Existential questions, Family issues, Fears and phobia, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), LGBTQ2IA+, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Masculinity, School challenges, Negative thinking and ruminating, Phobias, PTSD, Trauma, Anger, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration
Lauren McCarley
Registered Psychotherapist
Virtual Sessions in ON, YT, MB, NU, SK, BC, NL, and NT.
Waitlist
Lauren McCarley
Registered Psychotherapist
She/Her/Hers
Anxiety, OCD, Self-esteem, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Burnout, Imposter syndrome, Depression coping skills, Stress, Negative thinking and ruminating, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Perfectionism, Relationships, Navigating challenging relationships, People pleasing, Life transitions, Fears and phobia, Health anxiety, Panic attacks, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Boundaries and boundary setting, Decision making, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration
Anxiety, OCD, Self-esteem, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Burnout, Imposter syndrome, Depression coping skills, Stress, Negative thinking and ruminating, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Perfectionism, Relationships, Navigating challenging relationships, People pleasing, Life transitions, Fears and phobia, Health anxiety, Panic attacks, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Boundaries and boundary setting, Decision making, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration
Kelsey Mathison
Registered Psychotherapist
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Kelsey Mathison
Registered Psychotherapist
She/her
Identity and Self-Exploration, Creativity, Emotional regulation, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Building Self-Care Routines, Coming out and identity, Depression, Depression coping skills, Dissociation, Empowerment, Grief Processing, Group Therapy, Habits, LGBTQ2IA+, Life transitions, Mindfulness, Negative thinking and ruminating, Neurodiversity, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Grief and Loss
Identity and Self-Exploration, Creativity, Emotional regulation, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Building Self-Care Routines, Coming out and identity, Depression, Depression coping skills, Dissociation, Empowerment, Grief Processing, Group Therapy, Habits, LGBTQ2IA+, Life transitions, Mindfulness, Negative thinking and ruminating, Neurodiversity, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Grief and Loss
Michèle Dawn
Registered Therapeutic Counsellor
Virtual Sessions in all provinces and territories.
Waitlist
Michèle Dawn
Registered Therapeutic Counsellor
She/Her
Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Nervous system regulation, Emotional regulation, ADHD, Anxiety, Attachment, Boundaries and boundary setting, Break-up recovery, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Burnout, Building Self-Care Routines, Career guidance, Creativity, Dating challenges, Decision making, Goal Setting, Life transitions, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Mindfulness, Imposter syndrome, Overwhelm, Stress, Wellness Counselling, Negative thinking and ruminating, Habits
Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Nervous system regulation, Emotional regulation, ADHD, Anxiety, Attachment, Boundaries and boundary setting, Break-up recovery, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Burnout, Building Self-Care Routines, Career guidance, Creativity, Dating challenges, Decision making, Goal Setting, Life transitions, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Mindfulness, Imposter syndrome, Overwhelm, Stress, Wellness Counselling, Negative thinking and ruminating, Habits
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What is therapy for negative thinking?
Therapy for negative thinking helps you understand and change unhelpful thought patterns. Approaches like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) focus on identifying negative thoughts, examining their accuracy, and developing more balanced perspectives. Your therapist will work with you to understand your specific patterns and develop strategies that work for you.
How can therapy help with rumination?
Many people find that therapy helps them recognize when they're ruminating, understand what triggers these thought cycles, and develop techniques to redirect their attention. Therapy can also address underlying factors like anxiety or depression that often accompany rumination. The skills you learn can help you respond to difficult thoughts more effectively.
What causes negative thinking patterns?
Negative thinking patterns can develop for many reasons—past experiences, perfectionism, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, or simply habits that formed over time. Often, these patterns started as ways of coping or problem-solving but became unhelpful. A therapist can help you understand your unique patterns and their origins without judgment.
How do I find a therapist for negative thinking?
On First Session, you can browse therapists who work with negative thinking, anxiety, or cognitive approaches like CBT. Watch their intro videos to get a sense of their style and personality. Finding a therapist you feel comfortable with is important. Learn more about what makes a good therapist.
What therapeutic approaches help with negative thinking?
Several evidence-informed approaches can help with negative thinking. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) helps you identify and change unhelpful thought patterns. Mindfulness-based approaches teach you to observe thoughts without getting caught up in them. Your therapist can help you find the approach that works best for your situation.
How do I get started?
Browse therapists on First Session who specialize in cognitive approaches and negative thinking. Watch their intro videos to find someone whose style resonates with you, then book a session online. Many therapists offer free consultations so you can ask questions before committing. Taking steps to address negative thinking is an investment in your wellbeing.