Assessment
An initial psychological assessment can involve a range of components including conversation and questionnaires to help both of us reach an understanding of the kind of support you need.
Some people come to therapy knowing what kind of treatment they want based on their own research, prior experience, or recommendations. Others may come with nothing more than a sense that something needs to change. There is no expectation that you know the kind of therapy will be most beneficial to you.
Therapy
Therapy can range from single one-off sessions to long-term weekly or fortnightly sessions. All approaches will be tailored to you based on the information that you provide. If you are seeking a single session, please make this clear in your contact form because some of the therapies listed below can only be offered over multiple sessions.
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR is a structured psychotherapy that helps you to overcome difficulties in the present by identifying and processing past experiences which have contributed to the development of the current problem. Unprocessed and painful events in our past can colour how we respond to situations now, leaving us feeling triggered and stuck. EMDR kick-starts your natural healing process and helps you to move forward.
Some people come to EMDR with pre-identified traumas that they want to work on. Other clients come with clear problems but no clear trauma. Whatever your situation, you can discuss whether EMDR will be suitable for you.
EMDR therapy is recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
Ongoing research supports positive clinical outcomes showing EMDR therapy as a helpful treatment for problems with PTSD, Complex PTSD, anxiety, depression, OCD, chronic pain, addictions, and other distressing life experiences.
Dr Lucy Butler is a member of the EMDR Association UK. This is the professional body for EMDR clinicians and researchers in the UK seeking the highest standards of clinical practice in the United Kingdom.
Narrative Exposure Therapy
Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) is a talking therapy specifically designed to help individuals who have experienced traumatic events, particularly those with complex trauma or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). NET combines elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and narrative therapy to facilitate the processing and integration of traumatic memories.
The primary goal of NET is to help individuals construct a coherent and chronological narrative of their traumatic experiences.
Individuals are guided through a detailed and structured retelling of their traumatic experiences in a safe and supportive environment. This process allows for the gradual confrontation and processing of traumatic memories, emotions, and sensations.
The therapist helps the individual connect their traumatic memories with the larger context of their lives. By incorporating the traumatic events into their life story, individuals can gain a broader understanding of how the trauma has influenced their thoughts, emotions, and behaviours.
Through the process of constructing a cohesive narrative, individuals have the opportunity to integrate their traumatic experiences into their overall life story. This integration facilitates a sense of coherence, meaning, and mastery over the traumatic events.
In 2018, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommended NET as a method of treating adults with PTSD. It is particular helpful for people who have experience multiple repeated or prolonged traumatic experiences.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
CBT is a widely used and effective form of psychotherapy that focuses on the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. It is based on the idea that our thoughts and beliefs about ourselves, others, and the world can influence our feelings and actions. CBT aims to identify and change unhealthy patterns of thinking and behaviour in order to improve overall well-being.
The core principles of CBT involve understanding and challenging negative or distorted thoughts, developing more realistic and adaptive (e.g., healthy and helpful) thinking patterns, and implementing behavioural strategies to promote positive change. The therapy typically involves collaboration between the therapist and the individual seeking treatment.
CBT can help you in several ways:
Managing and reducing symptoms: CBT is effective in treating various mental health conditions, including anxiety disorders, depression, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and eating disorders. It provides practical tools and strategies to alleviate distressing symptoms and regain control over your life.
Identifying and changing negative thinking patterns: CBT helps you recognise and challenge negative or irrational thoughts that contribute to emotional distress. By examining the evidence for and against these thoughts, you can develop more balanced and realistic thinking, leading to a shift in emotions and behaviours.
3. Developing coping skills: CBT equips you with practical skills to cope with challenging situations and manage stress more effectively. It focuses on problem-solving, relaxation techniques, assertiveness training, and improving communication skills, among other strategies, to help you navigate difficult circumstances.
4. Breaking cycles of behavior: CBT emphasizes the relationship between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. By identifying and modifying negative behavioral patterns, you can break cycles of unhelpful behavior and develop healthier habits and coping mechanisms.
5. Enhancing self-awareness and self-esteem: CBT encourages self-reflection and increased awareness of your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. By gaining a better understanding of yourself, you can develop a more positive self-image, boost self-esteem, and cultivate self-compassion.
Will it work for me?
CBT has a good evidence base. That said, it's important to note that while CBT is highly effective for many people, it may not be suitable or equally effective for everyone.
CBT is one of the most available psychological therapies in the NHS. If you have tried CBT in the past and found it ineffective this does not mean that it wont be helpful again now or in the future. We can explore the reasons behind your experience and discuss what might be helpful for you now.
Schema Therapy
Schema Therapy is a therapeutic approach that integrates elements from CBT, psychodynamic therapy, and attachment theory. It was developed by Dr. Jeffrey E. Young to address deeply ingrained and persistent patterns of thoughts, emotions, and behaviours called schemas.
Schemas are self-defeating negative blueprints that develop during childhood and impact how we feel, how we think, and how we perceive ourselves, others, and the world around us. Schema Therapy aims to identify and modify these schemas to promote lasting emotional and behavioural change. It involves a collaborative and supportive therapeutic relationship where the therapist helps the individual understand the origins of their schemas and provides tools to challenge and replace them with healthier alternatives.
Schema Therapy may be helpful for you if:
You have long-standing emotional or behavioral patterns: Schema Therapy is particularly beneficial for individuals who struggle with chronic or repetitive issues in their lives. It focuses on exploring the underlying causes of these patterns and providing strategies to address them.
You have experienced childhood trauma or neglect: Schema Therapy recognizes the impact of early experiences on the development of maladaptive schemas. It helps individuals identify and heal from unresolved emotional wounds that may be contributing to their current difficulties.
3. You have difficulty forming and maintaining healthy relationships: Schemas can interfere with one's ability to engage in fulfilling and healthy relationships. Schema Therapy targets relationship patterns and helps individuals develop new ways of relating to others, improving their interpersonal skills and fostering healthier connections.\
4. You struggle with self-esteem or self-worth: Schema Therapy addresses negative self-perceptions and helps individuals cultivate a more positive and realistic self-image.
5. You have co-morbid mental health conditions: Schema Therapy can be effective for individuals with complex mental health issues.
It's important to note that Schema Therapy is a longer-term therapy which is a significant commitment of time and money. I can offer you an initial free 15min consultation to discuss whether Schema Therapy sounds suitable for you, and then an initial assessment (two sessions) to complete more in-depth assessment of needs and treatment plan.
Schema Therapy has been shown to be significantly more effective than traditional treatments for long-standing problems and dysfunctional patterns in emotional functioning and relationships (including problems meeting the criteria for ‘personality disorders’) contributing to real recovery, not just symptom reduction.