Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT)

CBT refers to a school of therapies that share the underlying assumption that people are disturbed not by events in their lives but by their beliefs about those events. It is a logical and practical approach to help people with their emotional problems; as such it can be extremely empowering and can bring lasting relief after short term treatment. Cognitive behavioural therapies are one of the most widely researched and effective forms of psychological therapy, especially for anxiety, depression and addiction problems.

Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) Skills

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy is a form of psychological therapy which has shown to be effective for the treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), particularly those individuals with self harm and/or suicidal urges. The DBT treatment approach is increasingly being applied to a range of other psychological disorders and problems, particularly when issues arise from being unable to manage one’s emotions. DBT is usually delivered in a group format, however individual therapy can focus on skills to improve ones communication effectiveness, distress tolerance and emotion regulation skills, particularly using mindfulness (PDF).

Psychodynamic therapy

Psychodynamic therapy is an effective treatment for many psychological disorders (Shedller, 2010). It involves exploring those aspects of self that are not fully known, our unconscious mind and relationship patterns, especially as they are manifested and potentially influenced in the therapy relationship. In some cases, a patient may be acutely aware of recurring patterns that are painful or self-defeating but feel unable to escape them (e.g., a man who repeatedly finds himself drawn to romantic partners who are emotionally unavailable; a woman who regularly sabotages herself when success is at hand, and impulsive behaviours such as substance use). Psychodynamic approaches are particularly effective with longstanding personality issues and if other forms of briefer therapy have not been useful for you.

Narrative therapy

Narrative approaches to counselling centre people as the experts in their own lives and views problems as separate from people. Narrative approaches assume that people have many skills, competencies, beliefs, values, commitments, and abilities that will assist them to reduce the influence of problems in their lives. Narrative approaches involve ways of understanding the stories of people’s lives, and ways of re-authoring these stories in collaboration between the therapist. It is a way of working that is interested in history and the broader context that is affecting people’s lives. Click here for more information on narrative therapy.

Psychometric testing

Psychometric testing is available for both adults and children, and refers to the process of measuring an individuals relevant strengths and weaknesses, using general intelligence tests such as the Weschler Adult Intelligence Scale; WAIS-IV

The aim of psychometric tests is gain an accurate bearing of the individual’s cognitive abilities and personality/behavioural style, and can be used to identify learning or memory difficulties, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, cognitive impairment and strengths and weaknesses for employment purposes.