THERAPEUTIC APPROACHES
COGNITIVE BEHAVIOUR THERAPY (CBT)
In CBT the focus is on current problems. It helps people to understand the relationship between thoughts, emotions and behaviour, and can lead to new perspectives and new ways of managing present problems. CBT has been found to be beneficial for people who experience anxiety disorders and depression, amongst others.
DIALECTICAL BEHAVIOUR THERAPY (DBT)
DBT helps people who have difficulties with maintaining relationships and managing intense emotions such as sadness, anxiety, anger, and a sense of emptiness. It was initially developed to help people who self-harm and have suicidal thoughts, and has since been found to be beneficial to many people with other problems too. DBT teaches individuals specific skills that help them to have more satisfying relationships, to manage emotions and achieve other goals they may have for their lives. Full DBT is delivered by a team; however, I am able to draw on my expertise to integrate DBT-based work into treatment where this is appropriate to a person’s goals.
MINDFULNESS
Mindfulness has been applied to healthcare settings for almost 30 years. It is the ability to be fully present in the moment. It can help individuals to gain a clearer understanding of their habitual thought and behaviour patterns, and this can facilitate change. It can also be a useful skill to help manage the stresses of daily life.
PROLONGED EXPOSURE (PE) for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PE helps clients to gradually approach trauma-related memories, emotions and situations to reduce the impact of trauma symptoms in daily life. This involves working through a narrative account of the trauma in therapy sessions (imaginal exposure) and processing the associated emotions and beliefs with a therapist. Additionally clients work on reducing trauma-related avoidance, e.g. of places or situations, outside of sessions (in vivo exposure). These practical tasks provide important new learning opportunities for clients and helps them move towards other life goals.
COMPASSION FOCUSED THERAPY (CFT)
CFT helps people who struggle with self-criticism, shame and guilt and associated difficulties such as depression/low mood, social anxiety, anger/aggression, anxiety disorders and perfectionism.
ACCEPTANCE AND COMMITMENT THERAPY (ACT)
ACT helps individuals to connect to and clarify their values. The focus of the therapy is to help individuals overcome barriers, such as depression and anxiety, so that they can live more in live with their values.