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My therapeutic style
I work integratively,
but would describe my therapeutic style as being rooted in Cognitive-Behavioural
Therapy (CBT). As part of my training I studied CBT, systemic (family therapy)
and psychodynamic approaches. I
also have a keen interest in mindfulness meditation and hypnosis. I believe that a
therapist's style needs to adapt to
best meet the individual client's needs.
CBT focuses on how you are thinking, feeling and behaving. It involves helping
people explore what motivates a
particular behaviour, thought, or belief and
helps them to challenge unhelpful ways of thinking/behaving and to
develop
healthier alternatives.
Numerous studies have shown CBT as being very effective in the treatment of
depression, anxiety, fears,
obsessions etc. It teaches clients self-help
strategies and therefore helps prevent relapse.
Whilst I may use various techniques in order to
provide flexible and individual help, the main emphasis is on the
client and helping them to help themselves.
The assessment session
is really
a 'get to know each other' session.
It gives me the opportunity to gather important information regarding your
presenting problem/difficulty and
regarding your personal and family history.
It allows us both to see if we could work together. Sometimes people
feel they
need no further sessions or I may feel that another form of counselling or
help may be more appropriate.
Most importantly, it gives us the chance to see
if we could have a good collaborative therapeutic relationship, as
this is the
essence of any successful therapy.
Towards the end of the first session we make a verbal contract regarding your
goals for therapy (at that time),
frequency and time of sessions, and our
expectations.
However assessment can be considered as being an ongoing
process throughout the sessions, as new details and
possibly further goals emerge.
CODE OF ETHICS:
I subscribe to the 'BPS' & 'CCC' code of ethics.
Everything that you tell me is confidential unless I suspect that you are in
danger of harming yourself or another person,
in
which case I will discuss this with you before breaking any confidentiality.
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