Therapies

Scientific research consistently demonstrates the effectiveness of talking therapies in improving the well-being of individuals facing mental health difficulties. As an integrative practitioner, I am equipped to provide assessments and evidence-based treatments endorsed by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in England. These therapies, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Schema Therapy, and trauma-focused approaches, are rooted in empirical evidence and tailored to meet your unique needs.

Your emotional well-being is essential to your overall contentment, and choosing a well-trained professional with extensive knowledge, skill, and expertise is paramount. It's crucial to find a therapist who can offer a safe and comfortable space for open communication, collaboration, and the building of trust and acceptance as you embark on your journey toward emotional healing.

I am committed to providing you with the highest level of care and support, ensuring that you feel heard, respected, and empowered throughout our therapeutic process. Together, we'll work towards achieving your goals and fostering positive changes that enhance your overall well-being.

COGNITIVE BEHAVOURAL THERAPY (CBT)

When we face difficult life events and find ourselves feeling low or distressed, it's common to fall into negative patterns of thinking and behaving that can exacerbate our emotional state. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a therapeutic approach designed to address these problematic patterns.

CBT operates on the belief that our thoughts, feelings, physical sensations, and behaviors are interconnected. By targeting and modifying one of these areas, we can effectively bring about change in the others. The goal of CBT is to help individuals break free from negative cycles by identifying and challenging negative thinking patterns and unhelpful behaviors.

Through a variety of tools and techniques, CBT equips individuals with strategies to address challenges in their daily lives and develop healthier, more adaptive responses. This evidence-based therapy has been shown to be effective in treating a wide range of mental health difficulties, including depression, anxiety, panic disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, mood disorders, and phobias.

CBT is an effective short-term evidence-based therapy for a range of problems such as depression, anxiety, panic, post-traumatic stress disorder, mood disorders and phobias.

SCHEMA FOCUSED THERAPY

Schema therapy delves into the origins of emotional difficulties and unhealthy behavioural patterns in adulthood, tracing them back to unmet childhood needs such as trauma, abuse, or neglect. These early experiences often give rise to deeply ingrained schemas that shape individuals' self-esteem, interpersonal dynamics, identity and their ability to emotionally regulate.

In this integrative therapy, we explore the link between current struggles and past experiences, identifying how unhelpful behaviour patterns developed as coping mechanisms. For instance, avoiding social situations may stem from a need for safety but can result in feelings of isolation and stagnation.

Through schema therapy, we aim to disrupt these patterns by cultivating self-compassion and addressing core emotional needs. By nurturing a compassionate internal voice that meets these needs for safety, care, acceptance, and validation, individuals can develop healthier coping strategies and lead more fulfilling lives characterized by meaningful connections and personal growth.

TRAUMA FOCUSED THERAPIES (TF-CBT & NARRATIVE EXPOSURE THERAPY)

Traumatic experiences can leave individuals feeling overwhelmed and triggered by intense emotions like fear, sadness, shame, panic, anger, and numbness. For those diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, avoidance of triggers, dissociation, nightmares, and hypervigilance may become part of their daily life, impacting their well-being and relationships.

In trauma therapy, such as Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), we aim to understand PTSD symptoms and their effects on the brain and body. Through gentle exploration, we work together to make sense of these experiences and develop strategies to alleviate symptoms. By learning to manage emotions during triggers, individuals can gradually reclaim their lives.

Additionally, I offer Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET), a technique that allows individuals to narrate their traumatic and positive experiences chronologically. This approach is particularly beneficial for those with complex or multiple traumas, offering a structured framework for processing and healing. Through these therapeutic methods, individuals can find healing, resilience, and a sense of empowerment in their journey towards recovery.

COUNSELLING / SUPPORTIVE THERAPY

Counselling approaches can be invaluable in addressing a wide range of issues, whether they stem from work, home life, breakups, bereavement, self-esteem struggles, or simply the everyday 'ups and downs' of life. Through open dialogue, reflection, and exploration of your inner experiences in the present moment, counselling aims to help you find solutions to your current challenges.

By delving into these daily struggles, you can gain deeper insights and a greater sense of control over your life. This process can lead to identifying areas in need of change, fostering self-acceptance, boosting self-esteem, and enhancing overall emotional and psychological well-being.

Through counselling, you embark on a journey of self-discovery and growth, equipping you with the tools and resilience needed to navigate life's challenges with greater clarity and confidence.