My techniques are sound and evidence based. My work is client focused – I ask clients for feedback on the process and what is working. As a trauma therapist I use methods derived from neuroscience, which help us understand how the brain processes information. I work in a holistic way, focusing on thoughts, emotions and sensations. My methods include, but are not limited to, the following:
Mindfulness – Mindfulness draws on elements of Eastern philosophy and Western science. It is about just being in the moment, learning to calm ourselves so we can deal with life’s challenges, get to know ourselves and enjoy life better. We can be in our rational mind, when our thinking is calm and logical, and we can focus our attention. And we can be in emotional mind, when we are more emotional and likely to make errors in our judgements. With mindfulness, we calm ourselves so that we can combine the best of both minds. We focus on what is happening by observing the detail, and learn not to be judgemental, so that the full meaning of the experience is available to us.
‘Can you recall the sense of wonder you had as a child about the simplest things, like watching autumn leaves on a windy day’
EMDR – A highly effective, evidence-based psychological treatment, Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing is recommended by the World Health Organization for the treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. It is also effective in treating stress, panic attacks, depression and the less obvious traumas that we all experience – family conflict, friendship difficulties, and being bullied at school or at work. See www.emdr.com for more information.
CBT – Cognitive behavioural therapy is a psychological therapy that addresses unhelpful thinking, feelings and behaviours.
Schema therapy – Schema expands on traditional CBT by exploring childhood and adolescent origins of psychological problems. We form schemas (our way of seeing and understanding the world and interacting with others) in childhood and adolescence. Sometimes our schemas are no longer helpful and we need to work out how to change them. This is a collaborative therapy between client and therapist. See www.schematherapy.org for more information.
Interpersonal therapy – IP seeks to ease psychological stress by focusing on our relationships and social roles.
Experiential approaches – When words fail, we can use art, puppets, figurines, or role plays.
Couple Therapy – I completed a Master of Couple and Relationship Counselling because I recognised that traditional counselling methods were not always sufficient when working with couples – also because I know the value, and the challenges, of relationships from my own life.