Therapeutic approaches
Therapy comes in many forms, each designed to support individuals in different ways. Whether you're looking for practical coping strategies, a deeper understanding of your emotions, or a space to process past experiences, there is an approach suited to your needs. From cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and psychodynamic therapy to humanistic and integrative approaches, each method offers unique benefits. Below, you'll find an overview of various therapeutic approaches to help you explore what might be the right fit for you.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a psychological intervention that uses acceptance and mindfulness strategies, together with commitment and behaviour change strategies, to increase psychological flexibility. Psychological flexibility means being consciously in contact with the present moment and responding to the presenting situation in line with one’s chosen values. More simply, ACT is an intervention that helps people be more mindful and accepting, be less influenced by unhelpful thoughts, and act in line with their personal values.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that helps people identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviours that contribute to emotional distress. It focuses on the idea that our thoughts, feelings, and actions are interconnected, and by altering dysfunctional thoughts and behaviours, we can improve emotional well-being. CBT is often used to treat conditions like depression, anxiety, and stress by encouraging healthier thinking patterns and coping strategies. It is usually goal-oriented and is a relatively short-term treatment.
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) is an innovative treatment approach that combines the therapeutic benefits of ketamine, a dissociative anaesthetic, with psychotherapy to help individuals address treatment resistent depression. By inducing a temporary altered state of consciousness, ketamine can help patients access deep emotional insights, process trauma, and break through mental barriers that traditional therapy alone may not reach. This is available only for those who are assessed as meeting inclusion criteria by a psychiatrist.
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a structured psychotherapy approach specifically designed to help individuals process distressing or traumatic memories. The core principle behind EMDR is that many psychological challenges stem from past experiences that have not been properly stored in memory. When a distressing or traumatic event occurs, the brain may struggle to process it fully, leaving the memory unintegrated or "stuck," which can contribute to ongoing emotional distress. EMDR aims to facilitate the brain's natural ability to process these memories by using guided eye movements or other forms of bi-stimulation.
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a therapeutic model developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz that views the mind as made up of multiple subpersonalities or "parts," each with its own thoughts, feelings, and roles.
These parts are categorized into three main types: exiles, which hold painful emotions from past experiences; managers, which try to control behavior to prevent pain; and firefighters, which act impulsively to numb or escape distress.
At the core of the system is the "Self," a calm, compassionate, and wise center that can lead the internal family toward healing and balance. IFS therapy helps individuals access their Self, understand their parts, and foster internal harmony.
Psychodynamic therapy is a form of talk therapy that focuses on how unconscious processes, past experiences, and relationships influence present behaviour. Rooted in Freudian psychoanalysis, it helps clients gain insight into unresolved conflicts and emotional patterns, aiming for self-awareness and emotional healing.
Brief Psychodynamic Therapy (BPT) is a time-limited approach (typically 12-20 sessions) that retains core psychodynamic principles but focuses on a specific issue. It emphasizes identifying patterns, exploring emotions, and fostering change efficiently. BPT is often structured, goal-oriented, and suited for individuals seeking insight in a shorter timeframe.
Schema therapy is a holistic and integrative form of psychotherapy that helps individuals identify and change deeply ingrained patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaviour—known as “schemas.” Developed by Dr Jeffrey Young, it combines elements of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, and attachment theory to address long-standing emotional difficulties often rooted in childhood experiences. Schema therapy is particularly effective for those struggling with persistent relationship challenges, self-defeating patterns, or personality disorders. By recognising and healing maladaptive schemas, individuals can develop healthier ways of relating to themselves and others, leading to lasting emotional change.