Types of Therapy
I have an integrative approach to therapy and am primarily Person-Centred. I offer a safe, confidential and non-judgemental space for you to explore your deepest thoughts and feelings and have experience working with clients from different backgrounds and with a wide range of presenting issues. Some of the different theories, methods and practices that I integrate into the therapeutic process are outlined below.
Adlerian Therapy
Adlerian therapy is an approach developed by Alfred Adler, who worked with Sigmund Freud. It is also known as individual psychology. Adlerian counsellors believe our experiences in early life, particularly within our families, affect the way we see the world and react to events. Even if we are not aware of them, the logic and goals we develop as children still govern our behaviour when we are adults. I use this theory to help you to understand why you behave in the way you do so you can find ways to act more effectively. Adlerian therapy is a positive and encouraging approach that can help individuals, couples and families. It works well for anxiety and anti-social behaviours.
Art Therapy
Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy which uses the creative process of making art to explore and communicate issues, feelings and emotions which may be too difficult or distressing to express in words. It can also be used to relieve stress, improve your mental wellbeing and increase self-awareness or cope. Visual art therapy can include drawing, painting, photography and modelling and is used with individuals and groups of all ages. I often use this approach for clients who find it difficult to talk about traumatic events, and clients who struggle to put into words how they feel.
Behavioural Therapy
Behavioural therapies are based on the belief that your unwanted or unhealthy behaviours are a learned response to your past experiences. They focus on current problems and aim to help you learn new, more positive behaviours without having to analyse the past. I find that this method of therapy often works well for compulsive and obsessive behaviours, fears, phobias and addictions.
Brief Therapy
Brief therapy is a short-term therapy which focuses on finding solutions and making positive changes rather than focusing on the past causes of problems. I use this technique to help encourage you to look at what you do well, set goals and work out how to achieve them. This type of therapy can be effective in just four or five sessions.
Coaching
Coaching supports individuals in achieving greater self-awareness, improved self-management skills and increased self-efficacy, so that you can develop your own goals and solutions. It is a collaborative, conversation-based process, which emphasises and builds on your existing and developing strengths. It is often focused on supporting you in making changes, either to how things are at present or to your near and distant future.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT aims to help you change the way you think (cognitive) and what you do (behaviour). Rather than looking at past causes, it focuses on current problems and practical solutions to help you feel better now. The way we think about situations affects the way we feel and behave. If we view a situation negatively, we may experience negative emotions and feelings which lead us to behave in an unhelpful way. I will help you identify and challenge any negative thinking so you can deal with situations better and behave in a more positive way.
Gestalt Therapy
Gestalt therapy looks at the individual as a whole, and within their surroundings, rather than breaking things into parts. Counsellors help you to focus on the here and now and your immediate thoughts, feelings and behaviour to better understand how you relate to others and to situations. This can help you find a new, positive perspective on problems and bring about changes in your life. Gestalt therapy often includes acting out scenarios and dream recall, and is effective in treating issues such as anxiety, stress, addiction, tension and depression.
Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
The psychodynamic approach is derived from psychoanalysis, but focuses on immediate problems to try to provide a quicker solution. It stresses the importance of the unconscious and past experience in shaping current behaviour. I will aim to build an accepting and trusting relationship, encouraging you to talk about your childhood relationships with your parents and other significant people.