One of the questions we are most often asked is how the TrueSelf Psychology® Alignment Program differs from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

Many people searching for help with anxiety, depression, overthinking, low self-esteem, confidence, emotional triggers, or recurring negative thought patterns want to understand the differences between these approaches before deciding which may best support their goals.

Both approaches recognize that our thoughts influence our emotions and behaviours, and both aim to help people improve their emotional well-being and quality of life. Where they differ is primarily in their focus and the way change is facilitated.

Primary Focus

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

CBT places significant emphasis on identifying and modifying unhelpful patterns of thinking and behaviour that may contribute to emotional distress.

TrueSelf Psychology®

The TrueSelf Psychology® Alignment Program focuses on identifying and reconditioning recurring Self-Opposing Mind Patterns™, conditioning, and emotional responses that may no longer support who you are or the life you want to create. Rather than focusing primarily on symptoms, the emphasis is on strengthening alignment with your TrueSelf so healthier thoughts, emotions, behaviours, and choices naturally emerge.

How Thoughts Are Viewed

CBT

Thoughts are explored to identify cognitive distortions and other thinking patterns that may be contributing to emotional difficulties.

TrueSelf Psychology®

Thoughts are explored not only to determine whether they are helpful, but also whether they are aligned with your TrueSelf. We don’t simply teach clients what to think—we teach them how to think in ways that consistently support who they are and the life they want to create through Alignment-Set™, SwitchTalk™, and Alignment Scripting™.

Developing Awareness

CBT

CBT helps clients become aware of thoughts that may be contributing to emotional distress so those thoughts can be examined and modified.

TrueSelf Psychology®

One of the first goals of the TrueSelf Psychology® Alignment Program is to help clients develop greater conscious awareness of their own thinking. Through the study of recurring Self-Opposing Mind Patterns™, clients gradually become more aware of the thoughts, interpretations, and emotional responses that often operate automatically outside of conscious awareness. This growing awareness becomes the foundation for reconditioning recurring patterns and intentionally developing an Alignment-Set™ that better supports who they are and the life they want to create.

The Role of Emotions

CBT

Emotions are understood as being closely connected to thoughts and behaviours and are explored throughout the therapeutic process.

TrueSelf Psychology®

Emotions are viewed as valuable guidance signals. They help reveal whether your thoughts are supporting your TrueSelf or whether recurring Self-Opposing Mind Patterns™ and emotional conditioning are creating inner conflict. Emotional discomfort becomes valuable information that helps identify the recurring patterns that may need to be reconditioned.

Identity

CBT

The primary focus is on changing unhelpful patterns of thinking and behaviour.

TrueSelf Psychology®

The focus extends beyond changing thoughts. It is about helping you become more aligned with your TrueSelf so that healthier thinking, greater confidence, emotional well-being, and more intentional choices naturally emerge from who you are rather than from old conditioning.

The Process

CBT

CBT typically uses structured cognitive and behavioural strategies to help people develop more adaptive ways of thinking and responding.

TrueSelf Psychology®

The Alignment Program teaches clients practical Alignment-Set™ skills through alignment exercises, guided self-discovery, conscious awareness practices, SwitchTalk™, Alignment Scripting™, and the SHIFT Session™. Together, these help clients identify and recondition recurring patterns of thinking and conditioning, work with their emotions as guides, release the emotional charge associated with recurring emotional patterns, and strengthen alignment with their TrueSelf.

In Summary

Both CBT and the TrueSelf Psychology® Alignment Program recognize that thoughts influence how we feel and behave. One of the primary differences is that CBT emphasizes changing unhelpful thoughts, whereas the TrueSelf Psychology® Alignment Program helps clients identify and recondition recurring patterns while teaching them how to think in ways that remain aligned with their TrueSelf and the life they want to create.

* The information on this page is intended to help explain the focus of the TrueSelf Psychology® Alignment Method. It is not intended to evaluate or rank other psychology or psychotherapy approaches, each of which has its own evidence base, methods, and appropriate applications.

Many people ask how the TrueSelf Psychology® Alignment Program differs from Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), particularly when looking for help with trauma, emotional triggers, anxiety, or recurring emotional patterns.

Both approaches recognize that past experiences can continue to influence how we think, feel, and respond. Where they differ is primarily in their focus and the way change is facilitated.

Primary Focus

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR is a psychotherapy approach that focuses on helping individuals process distress associated with traumatic or emotionally disturbing memories.

TrueSelf Psychology® Alignment Method

The TrueSelf Psychology® Alignment Program focuses on identifying and reconditioning recurring patterns of thinking, conditioning, and emotional responses that continue to influence the present while helping clients become more aligned with their TrueSelf.

The Role of Past Experiences

EMDR

EMDR recognizes that distress associated with past experiences can continue to influence how a person thinks, feels, and responds in the present. The approach focuses on helping people process the emotional distress connected to those experiences.

TrueSelf Psychology® 

TrueSelf Psychology® also recognizes that past experiences shape who we become. However, our primary focus is not the memories themselves, but the recurring patterns of thinking, emotional responses, and conditioning that those experiences may have created.

Rather than examining individual memories in depth, we review significant life experiences to identify the recurring patterns that appear across them. Once those patterns are recognized, the emphasis shifts toward reconditioning them so they no longer continue to influence how you think, feel, and respond today.

Rather than remaining focused on what happened, the emphasis is on becoming more aligned with your TrueSelf in the present so those recurring patterns no longer shape your future.

The Role of Emotions

EMDR

Emotional responses connected to distressing memories are processed as part of the therapeutic approach.

TrueSelf Psychology®

Emotions are viewed as valuable guidance signals. They help reveal whether your thoughts are supporting your TrueSelf or whether recurring Self-Opposing Mind Patterns™ and emotional conditioning are creating inner conflict. Emotional discomfort becomes valuable information that helps identify the recurring patterns that may need to be reconditioned.

The Process

EMDR

EMDR uses structured protocols, including bilateral stimulation, to help people process distress associated with traumatic memories.

TrueSelf Psychology®

The Alignment Program teaches clients practical Alignment-Set™ skills through alignment exercises, guided self-discovery, conscious awareness practices, SwitchTalk™, Alignment Scripting™, and the SHIFT Session™. Together, these help clients identify and recondition recurring patterns of thinking and conditioning, work with their emotions as guides, release the emotional charge associated with recurring emotional patterns, and strengthen alignment with their TrueSelf.

In Summary

Both EMDR and the TrueSelf Psychology® Alignment Program recognize that past experiences can continue to influence present-day emotional reactions. One of the primary differences is that EMDR focuses on processing distress associated with specific memories, whereas the TrueSelf Psychology® Alignment Program uses those experiences to identify and recondition the recurring patterns of thinking, conditioning, and emotional responses that continue to emerge from them. The goal is to help clients become more aligned with their TrueSelf so those recurring patterns no longer continue to shape their present or future.

* The information on this page is intended to help explain the focus of the TrueSelf Psychology® Alignment Method. It is not intended to evaluate or rank other psychology or psychotherapy approaches, each of which has its own evidence base, methods, and appropriate applications.

How Is TrueSelf Psychology® Different from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)?

One of the questions we are often asked is how the TrueSelf Psychology® Alignment Program differs from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

Many people looking for help with anxiety, stress, overthinking, low self-esteem, emotional avoidance, or recurring negative thought patterns want to understand the differences between these approaches before deciding which may best support their goals.

Both approaches recognize the importance of becoming more aware of our thoughts and emotions rather than being controlled by them. Where they differ is primarily in their focus and the way change is facilitated.

Primary Focus

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

ACT focuses on helping people develop psychological flexibility by accepting difficult thoughts and emotions while committing to behaviours that align with their personal values.

TrueSelf Psychology® Alignment Method

The TrueSelf Psychology® Alignment Program focuses on identifying and reconditioning recurring patterns of thinking, conditioning, and emotional responses while helping clients become more aligned with their TrueSelf and the life they want to create.

How Thoughts Are Viewed

ACT

ACT teaches that thoughts do not always need to be changed. Instead, clients learn to observe them with greater awareness and reduce the influence they have over behaviour.

TrueSelf Psychology® Alignment Method

Thoughts are explored to determine whether they support your TrueSelf or reflect recurring patterns of conditioning that no longer serve you. Rather than simply observing thoughts, clients learn practical Alignment-Set™ skills, SwitchTalk™, and Alignment Scripting™ to intentionally develop a self-aligning inner dialogue that supports their well-being and goals.

The Role of Emotions

ACT

Emotions are accepted as a normal part of human experience, even when they are uncomfortable.

TrueSelf Psychology® Alignment Method

Emotions are viewed as valuable guidance signals. They help reveal whether your thoughts are supporting your TrueSelf or whether recurring patterns of thinking and conditioning are creating inner conflict. Emotional discomfort becomes valuable information that helps identify the recurring patterns that may need to be reconditioned.

The Change Process

ACT

ACT uses mindfulness, acceptance strategies, and values-based behavioural exercises to help people respond more flexibly to difficult experiences.

TrueSelf Psychology® Alignment Method

The Alignment Program teaches clients practical Alignment-Set™ skills through alignment exercises, guided self-discovery, conscious awareness practices, SwitchTalk™, Alignment Scripting™, and the SHIFT Session™. Together, these help clients identify and recondition recurring patterns of thinking and conditioning, work with their emotions as guides, release the emotional charge associated with recurring emotional patterns, and strengthen alignment with their TrueSelf.

The Present Moment

ACT

ACT encourages people to become more present and less entangled in difficult thoughts while acting according to their values.

TrueSelf Psychology® Alignment Method

TrueSelf Psychology® also places a strong emphasis on the present moment. Past experiences are reviewed to identify the recurring patterns that continue to emerge in the present. The focus then shifts toward reconditioning those patterns so they no longer continue to shape your thoughts, emotions, choices, and life experiences. Our view is that the greatest opportunity for change lies not in repeatedly revisiting the past, but in identifying and reconditioning the recurring patterns of thinking, emotional responses, and conditioning that continue to influence the present. Rather than remaining focused on what happened, we focus on the patterns that continue to emerge from what happened.

What This Means for You

Both ACT and the TrueSelf Psychology® Alignment Program encourage greater awareness and more intentional living. One of the primary differences is that ACT emphasizes developing psychological flexibility through acceptance and values-based action, whereas the TrueSelf Psychology® Alignment Program helps clients identify and recondition recurring patterns of thinking, conditioning, and emotional responses while teaching them how to think in ways that remain aligned with their TrueSelf and the life they want to create.

* The information on this page is intended to help explain the focus of the TrueSelf Psychology® Alignment Method. It is not intended to evaluate or rank other psychology or psychotherapy approaches, each of which has its own evidence base, methods, and appropriate applications.

How Is TrueSelf Psychology® Different from Hypnosis?

Many people ask whether the TrueSelf Psychology® Alignment Program is simply a form of hypnosis because one part of the program, the SHIFT Session™, uses a conscious hypnosis intervention.

While hypnosis can be a valuable tool for facilitating change, the TrueSelf Psychology® Alignment Program is much broader. Conscious hypnosis is used as one component of the program rather than the program itself. The primary focus is on helping clients identify and recondition recurring patterns of thinking, conditioning, and emotional responses while strengthening alignment with their TrueSelf.

📌 The Key Difference

Traditional hypnosis is a technique used to facilitate change through focused attention and heightened awareness.

TrueSelf Psychology® is an Alignment Psychology-Coaching Program that uses a conscious hypnosis intervention as one of several tools to help clients identify and recondition recurring patterns while strengthening alignment with their TrueSelf.

Primary Focus

Hypnosis

Hypnosis is a technique that may be incorporated into a variety of professional approaches to support behavioural, emotional, or cognitive change. Depending on the practitioner and setting, it may be used for concerns such as anxiety, stress, habits, pain management, performance, or relaxation.

TrueSelf Psychology®

The TrueSelf Psychology® Alignment Program focuses on helping clients identify and recondition recurring patterns of thinking, conditioning, and emotional responses that may no longer support who they are or the life they want to create. The SHIFT Session™ is one part of this broader process.

The Role of Hypnosis

Traditional Hypnosis

Traditional hypnosis generally guides clients into a state of focused attention in which suggestions or therapeutic interventions may be introduced, depending on the practitioner’s approach.

TrueSelf Psychology®

The SHIFT Session™ uses conscious hypnosis, meaning clients remain aware, actively engaged, and able to communicate throughout the process. Rather than relying primarily on suggestion, the session guides clients to identify recurring emotional patterns connected to meaningful life experiences and helps reduce the emotional charge associated with those patterns.

The Role of Past Experiences

Traditional Hypnosis

Depending on the purpose of the session, past experiences may or may not be explored.

TrueSelf Psychology®

Past experiences are reviewed only as needed to identify the recurring patterns of thinking, emotional responses, and conditioning that continue to influence the present. Once those patterns are recognized, the emphasis shifts toward reconditioning them so they no longer continue to shape future thoughts, emotions, choices, and life experiences.

The Process

Traditional Hypnosis

The structure of hypnosis sessions varies depending on the practitioner, the goals of treatment, and the approach being used.

TrueSelf Psychology®

The Alignment Program teaches clients practical Alignment-Set™ skills through alignment exercises, guided self-discovery, conscious awareness practices, SwitchTalk™, Alignment Scripting™, and the SHIFT Session™. Together, these help clients identify and recondition recurring patterns of thinking and conditioning, work with their emotions as guides, release the emotional charge associated with recurring emotional patterns, and strengthen alignment with their TrueSelf.

What This Means for You

Hypnosis is a valuable technique that can be incorporated into many different professional approaches. The TrueSelf Psychology® Alignment Program is an educational and coaching-oriented program that uses conscious hypnosis as one component of a broader alignment process. Rather than relying on hypnosis alone, clients learn practical skills they can continue using long after the program is complete to develop a more self-aligning way of thinking and living.

How Is TrueSelf Psychology® Different from Traditional Psychotherapy?

One of the questions we are most often asked is whether TrueSelf Psychology® is psychotherapy.

No. TrueSelf Psychology® is an Alignment Psychology-Coaching Program.

While both approaches aim to support emotional well-being and personal growth, they differ in their primary focus, goals, and the way change is facilitated.

Many people looking for help with anxiety, stress, low self-esteem, confidence, relationship challenges, emotional triggers, or recurring negative thought patterns want to understand these differences before deciding which approach best fits their goals.

Primary Focus

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy encompasses a variety of evidence-based approaches designed to help individuals understand and address psychological difficulties, emotional distress, and behavioural challenges.

TrueSelf Psychology® Alignment Method

The Alignment Program focuses on helping clients identify and recondition recurring Self-Opposing Mind Patterns™, conditioning, and emotional responses that may no longer support who they are or the life they want to create. Rather than focusing primarily on the circumstances themselves, the emphasis is on the recurring patterns that continue to influence how clients think, feel, and respond today.

The Goal

Psychotherapy

The goals of psychotherapy vary depending on the approach and the individual’s needs, but often include improving psychological functioning, reducing emotional distress, increasing insight, and developing healthier ways of coping.

TrueSelf Psychology® Alignment Method

The goal is to help clients become more aligned with their TrueSelf by learning practical Alignment-Set™ skills, including SwitchTalk™, Alignment Scripting™, and other conscious practices that support greater self-esteem, confidence, emotional well-being, healthier relationships, and more intentional living.

The Role of Past Experiences

Psychotherapy

Past experiences may be explored to better understand how they continue to influence present thoughts, emotions, relationships, and behaviours.

TrueSelf Psychology® Alignment Method

Past experiences are reviewed to identify recurring patterns of thinking, emotional responses, and conditioning that continue to influence how you think, feel, and respond in the present. Once those patterns are recognized, the emphasis shifts toward reconditioning them so they no longer continue to shape future thoughts, emotions, choices, and life experiences. Our view is that the greatest opportunity for change lies not in repeatedly revisiting the past, but in identifying and reconditioning the recurring patterns that continue to influence the present. Rather than remaining focused on what happened, we focus on the patterns that continue to emerge from what happened.

The Role of Emotions

Psychotherapy

Emotions are explored and understood within the context of the therapeutic approach being used.

TrueSelf Psychology® Alignment Method

Emotions are viewed as valuable guidance signals. They help reveal whether your thoughts are supporting your TrueSelf or whether recurring Self-Opposing Mind Patterns™ and emotional conditioning are creating inner conflict. Emotional discomfort becomes valuable information that helps identify the recurring patterns that may need to be reconditioned.

The Process

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy methods vary depending on the approach and the professional providing the service.

TrueSelf Psychology® Alignment Method

The Alignment Program teaches clients practical Alignment-Set™ skills through alignment exercises, guided self-discovery, conscious awareness practices, SwitchTalk™, Alignment Scripting™, and the SHIFT Session™. Together, these help clients identify and recondition recurring patterns of thinking and conditioning, work with their emotions as guides, release the emotional charge associated with recurring emotional patterns, and strengthen alignment with their TrueSelf.

What This Means for You

Psychotherapy and the TrueSelf Psychology® Alignment Program are different approaches with different areas of focus. Psychotherapy includes many well-established models designed to address a wide range of psychological concerns. The TrueSelf Psychology® Alignment Program is an Alignment Psychology-Coaching program designed to help clients identify and recondition recurring patterns of thinking, conditioning, and emotional responses while learning practical skills to become more aligned with who they are and the life they want to create.

* The information on this page is intended to help explain the focus of the TrueSelf Psychology^® Alignment Method. It is not intended to evaluate or rank other psychology or psychotherapy approaches, each of which has its own evidence base, methods, and appropriate applications.

How Is TrueSelf Psychology® Different from Life Coaching?

One of the questions we are often asked is whether the TrueSelf Psychology® Alignment Program is simply a form of life coaching.

While both approaches encourage personal growth and help people move toward meaningful goals, they differ in their primary focus, the way change is facilitated, and where they believe lasting change begins.

Many people seeking greater confidence, self-esteem, motivation, purpose, emotional well-being, healthier relationships, or personal growth want to understand these differences before deciding which approach best fits their goals.

Primary Focus

Life Coaching

Life coaching generally focuses on helping people clarify goals, overcome obstacles, improve performance, and create action plans for the future.

TrueSelf Psychology® Alignment Method

The Alignment Program focuses on helping clients identify and recondition recurring patterns of thinking, conditioning, and emotional responses that may no longer support who they are or the life they want to create. Goals remain important, but they are more naturally achieved by first becoming aligned with your TrueSelf. As alignment strengthens, your thoughts, emotions, choices, and actions increasingly support the life you want to create.

TrueSelf Psychology® is about more than achieving goals. It’s about becoming the person who naturally thinks, feels, and responds in ways that support those goals.

Life coaching often starts with the destination.

TrueSelf Psychology® starts with the person who is taking the journey.

The Role of Goals

Life Coaching

Goals often serve as the starting point. Coaching helps people develop strategies, accountability, and action toward achieving desired outcomes.

TrueSelf Psychology® Alignment Method

Goals are important, but our first question is often:

“Who do you need to become to naturally create the life you want?”

Rather than beginning with strategies alone, the Alignment Program helps clients strengthen alignment with their TrueSelf so their thoughts, emotions, choices, and actions increasingly support the life they want to create.

The Role of Emotions

Life Coaching

Emotions may be explored as they relate to motivation, confidence, performance, or decision-making.

TrueSelf Psychology® Alignment Method

Emotions are viewed as valuable guidance signals. They help reveal whether your thoughts are supporting your TrueSelf or whether recurring Self-Opposing Mind Patterns™ and emotional conditioning are creating inner conflict. Emotional discomfort becomes valuable information that helps identify the recurring patterns that may need to be reconditioned.

The Change Process

Life Coaching

Coaching commonly emphasizes goal setting, accountability, planning, problem-solving, and developing strategies for moving forward.

TrueSelf Psychology® Alignment Method

The Alignment Program teaches clients practical Alignment-Set™ skills through alignment exercises, guided self-discovery, conscious awareness practices, SwitchTalk™, Alignment Scripting™, and the SHIFT Session™. Together, these help clients identify and recondition recurring patterns of thinking and conditioning, work with their emotions as guides, release the emotional charge associated with recurring emotional patterns, and strengthen alignment with their TrueSelf.

The Present Moment

Life Coaching

Coaching is generally future-oriented, helping people move from where they are today toward where they want to be.

TrueSelf Psychology® Alignment Method

TrueSelf Psychology® also looks toward the future, but begins by identifying the recurring patterns that continue to influence the present. By reconditioning those patterns and strengthening alignment with your TrueSelf, greater confidence, emotional well-being, healthier relationships, and more intentional choices naturally begin to emerge.

What This Means for You

Both life coaching and the TrueSelf Psychology® Alignment Program encourage personal growth and positive change. One of the primary differences is that life coaching often begins with goals and strategies for achieving them, whereas the TrueSelf Psychology® Alignment Program begins by helping clients become more aligned with who they are. As alignment strengthens, thoughts, emotions, choices, behaviours, and progress toward meaningful goals naturally become more congruent with the life clients want to create.

* The information on this page is intended to help explain the focus of the TrueSelf Psychology^® Alignment Method. It is not intended to evaluate or rank other psychology or psychotherapy approaches, each of which has its own evidence base, methods, and appropriate applications.