Psychological treatments
Psychological therapy with individuals may vary depending on the type of problems, needs, and style of the person seeking help. Some therapy approaches are more effective for particular problems, and sometimes a combination of different techniques can be helpful in assisting an individual to achieve their goals.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
CBT involves identifying styles of thinking that contribute to emotional difficulties and unhelpful behaviour patterns and provides the opportunity to work towards more helpful approaches and outcomes. CBT has been researched extensively over several decades and has been demonstrated to be effective for a range of psychological difficulties. Like any new skill, practice is an important part of its success.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT is derived from Relational Frame Theory (RFT), a behavioural approach to language and cognition. It draws strongly from mindfulness traditions, and aims to provide clients with a framework for living a vital life based in living through a commitment to values and through a focus on acceptance of experiences.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness has its origins in Eastern philosophies. It is a way of observing thoughts, images and feelings in an accepting way that neither judges, challenges, nor avoids them but simply allows them to be and to pass by. By assisting you to engage in the present moment, it can provide another useful way of managing difficult thoughts, images and feelings.
Positive psychology
Positive psychology methods focus on well-being in promoting a life which features positive emotions, interpersonal relationships, being connected in life and finding meaning/purpose and a sense of achievement. Concepts such as recognizing personal strengths and gratitude are key elements in positive psychological strategies
EMDR
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing was developed by Dr Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s as a treatment for trauma, though its use has expanded in recent years to other psychological difficulties. EMDR helps to overcome trauma symptoms by stabilizing emotions, exploring an individual’s sense of capability and resourcefulness, and processing memories so that they can be incorporated into existing adaptive memory networks. Treatment effects include reductions in distress and the sense of presence associated with the traumatic memory.
Schema Therapy
Schema therapy was developed by Dr Jeffrey Young in the 1990s and integrates theory and techniques from a range of existing psychotherapies, including CBT, attachment theory, psychoanalysis, and Gestalt therapy. Schema therapy seeks to soften unhelpful beliefs (“schemas”) that an individual holds about themselves, others, and the world as a result of childhood experiences. More helpful ways of thinking and coping are developed, and emotions settled.
Compassion Focused Therapy
Compassion-Focused or Self-Compassionate therapy draws on the research of Prof Paul Gilbert and Dr Kristin Neff and combines CBT techniques with concepts from psychology related to human evolution, development, and socialization, as well as Buddhist principles, and neuroscience. This approach focuses upon the concept of compassion and building skills in being compassionate or kind to oneself and others to manage difficulties associated with a range of experiences, in particular shame and self-criticism. Research in this field continues and it currently offers additional value within an integrative treatment approach.
Exposure Therapy
Exposure therapy is a form of behaviour therapy that involves the gradual supported exposure of individuals to objects, activities or situations they fear or avoid. This allows anxiety and avoidance to be reduced and behaviours to become more flexible. Exposure therapy can be used for social anxiety, phobias, and panic. Exposure and Response Prevention therapy is used in OCD to reduce unhelpful repeated behaviours and Prolonged Exposure is valuable in the treatment of PTSD.
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