Therapeutic Approach

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I believe that everyone varies greatly in their backgrounds, their make-up, their desires, needs and strengths and therefore I value the importance of getting to know each client individually before collaboratively deciding the best way forward. However, I believe that as relational beings, our difficulties and struggles tend to revolve our relationship with ourselves or with others, in the past and the present. I therefore take a very relational approach to therapy, exploring past and present relationships and use the therapeutic relationship to further understand these dynamics. I originally trained in Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, however I tend to integrate these using Cognitive-Analytical Therapy (CAT) techniques, which I integrate heavily into my work now, using mapping and letter writing to structure and focus the work (see below for a description of each). I am also an accredited Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) Practitioner, which I can do in (relative) isolation, or integrate as part of a more varied therapeutic approach.  I also draw on aspects of other approaches I have trained in, including Compassion-Based Theory, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Mindfulness techniques, depending on the needs and desires of the client.

Often clients do not know what type of therapy they want or need before they embark on the process. In addition their desires, needs and availability may change throughout therapy. I will spend time with you to explore what brought you to therapy and what you hope to get from it, and together you will decide on the most effective way forward. I tend to keep to a time-limited approach of 8, 16 or 32 sessions, to ensure therapy remains focused and beneficial. 

Below is a more in-depth explanation of my four main approaches:

Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is based on the idea that how we think about a situation, impacts the way we respond to it.  It is believed that unhelpful thoughts also impact one’s mood and physiology, and vice versa, creating a negative cycle.  I work with clients to help them identify and challenge their unhelpful thoughts and assumptions, use mindfulness techniques, and/or shift/alter their behaviours to help break the negative cycle and improve their emotional well-being.  It has been found to be a particularly helpful therapeutic model to help tackle depression, anxiety, panic, obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress, chronic fatigue, eating disorders, pain and anger management and problem/pathological gambling. 

Psychodynamic psychotherapy focuses on the unconscious processes deemed to be the root of a client’s emotional distress.  It aims to enhance the client’s self-awareness through exploration of their past and helps them to develop an understanding of the influence past relationships and events have on their present response to events. 

CAT is a relational therapy, that combines many of the ideas and theories of the above two therapies. It is often time-limited (on average 16 sessions) focusing on the relational patterns in past and present, and helping to identify and shift patterns that may be holding you back in your life. Its a very collaborative therapy, that relies heavily on a trusting empathic relationship between client and therapist. 

EMDR is an evidence-based psychotherapeutic approach that was originally developed to treat traumatic memories and experiences, however more recently it has been used to help with phobias, performance anxiety, addictions, pain, anxiety and panic and complex grief. It involves bilateral stimulation to help speed up the reprocessing of traumatic and disturbing memories.