Types of therapy

We can offer different types of therapy, either one-to-one, in a group, with your family, or with your partner.  We also offer counselling for businesses and institutions. Various approaches in therapy can be better suited than others, depending on the individual and the issues discussed.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

CBT combines cognitive therapy (examining the things you think) and behavioural therapy (examining the things you do). This type of therapy is based on the idea that the way we think about situations can affect the way we feel and behave.

Negative thinking patterns can start from childhood onwards, for example ‘not feeling good enough’. As an adult, these thought patterns can become automatic and affect the way you feel in general life. We can help you to identify and challenge patterns and behaviours which are causing you difficulties and set exercises to help you to overcome these. This can include looking at what is going on in your present life and also exploring how past experiences may have impacted how you see the world. Transforming one’s thoughts will ultimately result in positive actions and behaviours to equip you in difficult moments.

CBT was pioneered by Dr. Aaron T. Beck in the 1960s during study as a psychiatrist on depression. He found that the patients’ automatic thoughts fell into three categories. The patients had negative ideas about themselves, the world and/or the future.

Person-Centered therapy

Person-Centered therapy allows the client to take more of a lead in discussions so that in the process they will discover their own solutions to difficulties. The therapist acts as a compassionate facilitator and allows a non-judgmental space for the client to explore self-discovery. Whilst we will not attempt to interpret, we may restate your words and gain clarification in order to fully understand your feelings.

Also known as Rogerian therapy, person-entered therapy originated in the work of the American psychologist, Carol Rogers, who believed that everyone is different and we have the power within us to find the best solutions for ourselves and make appropriate changes. Therapy in this instance acts as a facilitator to your self-discovery and healing.

Psychodynamic Counselling

Our unconscious can hold onto painful feelings or memories from the past which may still have an effect on your present life. Our minds can keep these below the surface as a defence mechanism. Our aim is to help you unravel these unconscious feelings in order to help you resolve them.

The psychodynamic approach can be helpful with a range of problems, including anxiety, depression, addiction and eating disorders. It may also be helpful to those who have difficulty forming or maintaining relationships. People who are interested in getting to know themselves on a deeper level and use this to relieve problems can find it especially beneficial.

The roots of psychodynamic therapy are predominantly liked to Sigmund Freud’s approach of psychoanalysis whilst Carl Jung, Alfred Adler, Otto Rank and Melanie Klein are recognised for developing ideas and applications of psychodynamics. These areas share the same core principles but psychodynamic therapy is less intensive and focuses on more immediate problems and solutions.

Solution Focused Therapy (SFBT)

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy concentrates on finding solutions in the present time and exploring  hope for the future to resolve problems. SFBT can be used alone, or along with other therapy styles and treatments. It is used to treat a variety of issues, including family dysfunction, domestic abuse, addiction, and relationship problems. Though not a cure, SFBT may help improve quality of life for those who suffer from conditions like depression.

Goal-setting is at the core of SFBT and one of the first steps is to identify and clarify your goals. We will begin by questioning what you hope to get out of working with us and set specific goals for how your life would change when you take steps to resolve problems.

The development of solution-focused brief therapy was inspired by the work of husband and wife Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg, with their associates at the Brief Family Therapy Center in Milwaukee. This approach was based around studying therapy sessions to identify and discover which methods brought about beneficial positive changes for clients.

Transactional Analysis (TA)

Transactional Analysis is a psychological theory developed in the 1960s by Eric Berne. It helps explain why we think, act and feel the way we do and why communication breakdowns or misunderstandings may be happening.

TA helps us to understand ourselves by analysing our transactions with the people closest to us. A transaction can be any kind of conversion or interaction between two people. This type of therapy is about identifying which ego states are present in your transactions and help you to identify these so you can have better and more constructive transactions with those around you.

The three principles of TA are:

We all have three ‘ego states’ (Parent, Adult, and Child)

We all have transactions (these can be with other people, or internally with ourselves)

We unconsciously activate our ego states in our transactions with others, which can lead to conflict and negative feelings.