Psychological Therapies
Regardless of which psychological therapy we use our work will always be attachment-informed, what this means is understanding your relationship to your self and to others. An attachment-informed approach will enable you to use your therapy to have healthy, sustainable and fulfilling relationships with others.
My main approaches include the following NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) endorsed evidence-based treatments:
CBT - Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) has been found to be successful in treating a wide range of mental health difficulties. It focusses on identifying and breaking ‘vicious cycles’, and experimenting with healthy alternatives. CBT is mostly present-focussed (see clip), meaning it equips you with the tools and strategies to manage psychological distress in the moment. CBT is an evidence based treatment for anxiety and low mood.
EMDR - Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing
Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy is a therapeutic approach developed by Dr Francine Shapiro that helps to resolve distressing or traumatic experiences. EMDR Therapy was originally developed as a treatment for processing traumatic memories in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but there is increasing evidence that it can be effective in a wide range of conditions. The theory behind EMDR is that many psychological difficulties are the result of distressing life experiences that have not been stored in memory properly and are said to be ‘blocked’ or ‘unprocessed’. EMDR uses an 8 phase protocol including methods of bilateral stimulation, which have been found to enhance processing. EMDR is the recommended as the first line treatment for PTSD and trauma by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the World Health Organisation (WHO).
CFT - Compassion Focussed Therapy
Compassion Focussed Therapy (CFT) is a integrative psychotherapy developed by professor Paul Gilbert. The theoretical framework behind CFT is influenced by: evolutionary, social and developmental psychology, as well recent developments in neuroscience. CFT was founded for individuals with unhelpful self-to-self relationships characterised by high levels of shame and self-criticism. This form of psychological therapy utilises compassionate mind training strategies to facilitate resilience and coping. Hear about CFT from two leaders in the field Dr Kristin Neff and Brent Brown.
ACT - Acceptance & Commitment Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) gets it name from one of its core messages: accept what is out of your personal control, and commit to action that improves and enriches your life. ACT uses mindfulness and cognitive diffusion techniques to assist with distress tolerance and emotion regulation, whilst reconnecting with your values.
DDP - Dyadic Developmental informed Psychotherapy
DDP is an attachment-informed family therapy developed by Dr Dan Hughes. DDP was created to support parents in reparenting children who have experienced developmental trauma or chronic stress. DDP uses therapeutic parenting training to facilitate attachment security, and greater emotional and behavioural regulation in children. DDP is the psychological therapy of choice for adoption and fostering needs.
Systemic Therapies
Systemic family therapy seeks to reduce conflict and distress by improving the systems of interactions between family members (e.g. parents and children, siblings, partners), aiding communication and reducing misunderstandings regarding emotions, thoughts and actions
