When you first attend, an assessment will be conducted to identify your presenting problem as well as gathering any relevant history. Therapy is client-centred and tailored to each individual’s needs.  The treatment approach used will depend on a number of factors including your presenting problem, your personality style, and your personal preference. Only evidence-based therapies are used, meaning these methods have been scientifically researched and found to be effective.

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)

CBT is an effective treatment for a range of issues including anxiety, depression, stress, eating disorders and addictions.  CBT includes helping the person to identify and challenge unhelpful or irrational thoughts and beliefs which contribute to problems such as anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem.

The focus of CBT is to teach the person skills and techniques that they can use for their current problems, as well as for any issues that arise in the future.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

ACT is a treatment approach which is useful for a variety of issues including anxiety and depression.  ACT includes teaching Mindfulness skills to help with acceptance of things we cannot change.  Mindfulness means paying attention to each thought, feeling and sensation that arises in the present moment, acknowledging them and accepting them as they are without trying to change or get rid of them.

The goals of ACT are to help you clarify your values and commit to action which will guide you toward a richer and more meaningful life while learning acceptance of the things you cannot change.

Schema Therapy

Schema Therapy is a treatment approach which aims to identify and change negative and self-defeating patterns of thoughts, feelings, behaviours and coping styles.  These maladaptive patterns known as schemas or life-traps usually originate in childhood and may not resolve with simple CBT techniques.  Schema Therapy includes aspects of CBT but extends this with experiential techniques such as imagery rescripting.

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR therapy is an effective and efficient intervention for trauma related problems such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as well as psychological symptoms arising from a range of difficult life events such as abuse, loss, bullying and humiliation.  The eye movements in EMDR have been shown to play a role in producing neurological changes in the brain which result in rapid reductions in the vividness and emotional charge of distressing memories. EMDR therapy aims to reduce emotional distress and strengthen useful and positive beliefs related to the traumatic event.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

DBT is a therapy which teaches Mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation and interpersonal effectiveness.  The goal of DBT is to reduce unhelpful or maladaptive emotions and behaviours such as self-harm and suicidal impulses.

DBT was developed to treat people with Borderline Personality Disorder, however it has also been found effective in treating a range of other problems including depression, addictions, and eating disorders.

Motivational interviewing (MI)

MI is a client-centred counselling style that aims to enhance motivation for change and is frequently used as an adjunct therapy for people with substance use problems.  Many people considering change are either ambivalent or reluctant to change. MI techniques help you to identify and increase motivation to support change.