Therapy/Support
Therapeutic Approaches
I primarily use the approaches outlined below, but also draw from other therapies (when it will benefit the person I am working with), This includes motivational interviewing, emotion focussed therapy, solution focused therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR draws on innate human capacities to process memories and events which can become blocked and lead to unresolved distress (a bit like our body’s ability to heal a wound can become blocked by an infection). EMRD helps relieve these blockages and experience the world in more adaptive ways. Bilateral stimulation is a key part of EMDR, which involves sets of side-to-side movements (sometimes eye movements that the therapy was named after). These movements activate parts of the brain that integrate information. In the context of the overall therapy, this integration helps process and resolve distressing events.
Research strongly supports EMDR in trauma recovery, with the World Health Organisation recommending it as one of the two top level methods for healing the impacts of trauma. Research has expanded onto other areas and is showing benefits for other difficulties such as panic, anxiety, depression and attachment difficulties.
Once of the benefits of EMDR is that it involves less time discussing distressing topics than is needed in other approached, and generally less time overall to achieve outcomes. This may be because it is directly tapping into a person’s own healing process rather than the practitioner providing what they think the person needs.
Schema Therapy
Schema Therapy is an approach that focuses on understanding and addressing developmental origins of problems, especially where core emotional needs have been unmet. A range of techniques are used, including imagery, recognising internal conflict between different parts of yourself and attending to the emotional and physical impacts of events. Research shows that Schema Therapy is especially helpful for long-term and pervasive difficulties that have not been resolved with other types of therapy.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
The ACT approach recognises that unpleasant thoughts and feelings are an inescapable part of life. ACT involves accepting and detaching from these thoughts and feelings instead of fighting against them and being run by them. Another key aspect of ACT is exploring what is important and meaningful to you. This promotes life choices and actions to build a fulfilling life for yourself. A considerable amount of research has shown that ACT helps with many problems including low mood, anxiety and trauma recovery.