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About Us

Committed to Mental Wellbeing in Manitoba

CBTI is a dedicated not-for-profit organization committed to enhancing the mental health and wellbeing of Manitobans. Our structure allows us to prioritize our mission and reinvest surplus funds directly into impactful community initiatives.

Our Mission 

CBTI is dedicated to improving mental health in Manitoba by:

  • Offering more affordable and effective psychological services.
  • Providing high-quality training for emerging clinicians.
  • Contributing to the advancement of evidence-based treatments.
  • Investing in community wellbeing through impactful initiatives.
  • Upholding principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion in all our work.

Our Vision

To improve the overall mental health of Manitobans.

Our Commitment to Giving Back

At CBTI, our commitment extends beyond providing individual mental health services. We firmly believe in contributing to the broader wellbeing of our community and actively engage in initiatives that support positive change and growth in Manitoba. Here are some of the ways we give back:

Supporting Truth and Reconciliation

We are dedicated to actively supporting truth and reconciliation efforts in our community. Each year, we host a continuing education workshop for mental health clinicians, and 100% of the registration fees are donated to organizations that support Indigenous initiatives.

Donation Recipients:

National Indigenous Diabetes Association

2025

The Mama Bear Clan

 

2024

The Bear Clan Patrol

 

2023

Indigenous Women’s Healing Centre

2022

Advancing Knowledge Through Research

CBTI is committed to contributing to the growth of evidence-based practices in mental health. To support this, we have established a research fund available to clinicians within our clinic. This fund enables them to pursue research projects that have the potential to yield valuable insights for the scientific and clinical community.

Winners of CBTI’s Research Award:

To Be Announced.

2025

Shayna Pierce

Recognizing and Responding to Birth Trauma: The Development and Pilot Evaluation of a Brief Online Training Intervention for Canadian Health Care Providers.

2024

Dr. Farhad Taremian

Process and Outcome Evaluation Study of CBTI

2023

Emma Fernando

ADHD Symptoms, Mind Wandering, and Feelings of Inattention in Adults.

2022

Empowering Future Clinicians

Dr. John R. Walker & Dr. Vivienne C. Rowan CBT Institute of Manitoba Scholarship

We believe in nurturing the next generation of mental health professionals. To support this, CBTI proudly offers the annual Dr. John R. Walker & Dr. Vivienne C. Rowan CBT Institute of Manitoba Scholarship. This financial award is granted to the clinical psychology graduate student at the University of Manitoba who achieves the highest standing in the graduate-level training program’s Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) course, recognizing their dedication and potential in this field.

 

Tribute to Our Founders

Dr. John Walker
Ph.D., C.Psych

CBTI Manitoba Co-Founder

Dr. Dr. John Walker had a passion for providing evidence-based treatments for anxiety and related disorders. In keeping with this passion, he co-founded The Cognitive Behavior Institute of Manitoba with the vision of being a centre of excellence in CBT-based treatments. He believed that conducting research and providing evidence-based training for new clinicians were important ways to serve the community and he was greatly involved in both.

In each endeavour, Dr. Walker brought exceptional kindness and compassion to everything he did. Sadly, Dr. Walker passed away in 2018 but his values live on in us at CBTI as we continue to keep his legacy alive.

 

Dr. Vivienne C. Rowan
Ph.D., C.Psych

CBTI Manitoba Co-Founder

Dr. Vivienne C. Rowan has been a guiding force in advancing evidence-based care for
individuals facing anxiety, trauma, and related conditions. As a co-founder of the Cognitive Behavior Therapy Institute of Manitoba, she helped establish the clinic as a centre of excellence in CBT-based treatment. Dr. Rowan’s own clinical work has always been grounded in compassion, professionalism, and a strong commitment to helping others heal and thrive.

Dr. Rowan’s dedication extends beyond the clinic and, for over a decade, she worked with Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) Canada, offering psychological care in some of the most challenging and underserved regions in the world. In recognition of this remarkable work, she was honored with a Humanitarian Award from the Canadian Psychological Association.

Dr. Rowan’s values and vision continue to shape the heart of CBTI Manitoba. We are proud to carry forward the legacy she helped create—one of evidence-based practice, compassion, and service to the community.

Land Acknowledgment

In the spirit of respect and truth, the Cognitive Behavior Therapy Institute honours and acknowledges the Anishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, Dene, and Metis people on the traditional Treaty 1 territory where we reside. The Cognitive Behavior Therapy Institute acknowledges the treaties made on these lands, the harms, and mistakes as we dedicate ourselves to working towards reconciliation.