CBT & Psychotherapy

Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT)

A collaborative therapy based upon ideas from both cognitive psychotherapies (such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) and from psychoanalytic approaches. CAT is tailored to an individuals’ needs to look at the way they think feel and act.CAT focuses on repeating patterns, normally set up in childhood, that act as a way of coping with emotional difficulties and challenging situations. Therapists and clients work together to recognise their patterns and then to revise and change patterns that are unhelpful. CAT is particularly helpful for assisting people to recognise relationship patterns that continue throughout life and are difficult to change without help. Using this approach can help clients think differently about themselves and understand what their difficulties are; how they started; how they affect everyday life and how to change them.

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)

Is a therapy that focuses on identifying thought and belief patterns that influence and maintain problematic behaviours. This type of therapy focuses on the ‘here and now’ and on ‘action’, based on the premise that activity and routine can make a difference to a person’s emotional state. Clients gain insight on how their thoughts, emotions and behaviours are connected and are supported to take actions which can help to challenge unhelpful thoughts or to test new ways of coping and responding to problems.

EMDR

EMDR is a different form of therapy which helps clients suffering from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), dissociation, trauma, panic attacks, complex grief, phobias, eating disorders and more.EMDR works on the neural processes of the mind helping to alleviate thoughts, memories and feelings which may be difficult to move past. EMDR helps to reduce the distress of all kinds of memories.

The effects of EMDR are believed to be similar to that which occurs naturally during REM sleep (Rapid Eye Movement) when your eyes move from side to side.

Gestalt therapy is a holistic approach to the healing and personal growth of the whole person – the emotional, behavioural, cognitive and physiological aspects of the self e.g. heightening awareness of how the client relates to him/herself and others (which is the root of many of our personal and relationship problems). Gestalt therapy can enable the client to take responsibility for their actions and to achieve their full potential.

The aim of Gestalt psychotherapy is to become ‘whole’ rather than being fragmented or disconnected in life.

Integrative The aim of an Integrative Approach is to allow individuals to explore past and developmental issues with relevance to the present and this varies according to individual needs. The therapeutic work will also place great focus on current experiences, emotions, behaviours and cognitions. Progress and recovery can be made through the interaction between client and therapist, although ultimately it is achieved by the individual pursuit and motivation to overcome his or her difficulties.

Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)

A short-term focused intervention often used to treat depression although it has also been shown to be effective in the treatment of Bulimia Nervosa.

There are four main areas that are involved with IPT but it is usually one or two that the client and their IPT therapist may choose to focus on these are:- Role disputes, Role transitions, Unresloved grief and Interpersonal sensitivity.

The ultimate aim of this therapy is to encourage the client to make practical and positive changes which can improve their social interactions, increase their support network and overall quality of life.

Person-centred therapy is about the therapist providing a comfortable, non-judgemental enviroment where they are genuine and empathic. The client is encouraged to talk about whatever they feel most drawn to, to reflect on the self, their feelings and thoughts in order to gain a deeper understanding of what difficulties they are facing in their life. The client is free to talk about the past and the future, but the therapy is based predominately on the here-and-now of the client’s life.

The aim is for the client’s awareness of themselves to grow so that different, (perhaps more healthier and satisfying) ways of being can be explored and tested out when the client feels ready. With the therapist’s expertise and input, the client will discover their own solutions to their problems.

The relationship between the therapist and client is of critical importance, rather than any specifc exercises or techniques that may be used in the therapy.

Psychodynamic /Psychoanalytic therapy

A talking treatment for mental health and emotional problems. This treatment is based on the theory that early childhood memories influence our behaviour, personality, relationships and emotional life as adults. This theory also proposes that emotional problems are influenced by unconcious processes, ideas and motives, which we are not fully aware of. The treatment can help people to understand their emotional live, symptoms and problems through the exploration of their personal history and relationships.

The treatment also involves paying attention to the relationship between therapist and client, which can help clients to learn about themselves and how they relate to others. Psychoanalytic/psychodynamic therapy is recognised by National Guidelines (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) as an effective treatment for mental health problems including eating disorders and other conditions.

Family Intervention

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