FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Psychotherapy is an opportunity to speak to a compassionate, objective, and trained professional about a specific problem or multiple issues. It is a collaborative and safe place for you to understand how the past has influenced your current behaviours and allows you to move forward in freedom to be able to live the life you truly want to live.

Yes, we all use various types of therapies that we have specialised in and that resonate with us as therapists. We use an integrative approach whereby we combine some of them depending on what we feel would be most helpful for you. Here are a few that we use: ACT - Acceptance and Commitment Therapy- is a mindfulness behavioural therapy where clients learn to accept their inner thoughts and feelings without suppressing them. This allows a client to face their problems head on while employing methods to solve them. CBT - Cognitive Behavioural Therapy- a type of therapy that addresses how thoughts affect emotions and behaviour. It is often used with depression and anxiety DBT - Dialectical Behavioural Therapy- an evidence-based model of therapy that helps clients learn new skills and strategies to live a better life. It teaches mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation and interpersonal effectiveness. It is the best treatment for BPD (borderline personality disorder) EFT - Emotionally Focused Therapy- is a form of short-term therapy designed to improve couple relationships by rekindling the physical and emotional bond that can get sacrificed in relationships and cause alienation. With the guidance of a therapist, the couple is led to discover the unmet need for closeness that lies under their anger or alienation. EMDR - Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing- was initially developed in 1987 by Francine Shapiro for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is a structured therapy that encourages the client to briefly focus on the trauma memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation. It is intended to change the way that the memory is stored in the brain thus reducing and eliminating the problematic symptoms. After a session, the images, sounds and feelings are no longer re-lived when the event is brought to mind. IFS -Internal Family Systems- is a form of therapy that focuses on a client’s internal “parts” and “self”. When a person is acting out of their true self that is the person that you see. However, if there has been trauma or something to disturb that sense of Self we have what are called protectors that take over the Self such as anger, anxiety, confusion, numbness or depression. The goal of IFS is to help guide the Self back to having the leadership role by healing the wounded parts that are causing so much pain. Narrative Therapy - is a unique therapy whereby you are guided to see your story or experiences through a positive lens while externalising your problems. It allows you to work on self-compassion and brings objectivity to conflict. SFT- Solution Focused Therapy- is a short-term therapy that focuses on the present and future circumstances and goals rather than past experiences. It helps clients build solutions.

The length of time in therapy varies from one person to another and depends on your individual circumstances and history and the goals you have determined with your therapist. Some wounds need more time to heal than others however you are the one in control and we work at helping you to heal as quickly as possible.

Trauma is the lasting emotional response that often results from living through a distressing event. Experiencing a traumatic event can harm a person's sense of safety, sense of self, and ability to regulate emotions and navigate relationships.

Trauma-informed therapy in individual sessions plays a critical role in acknowledging and addressing the impact of trauma on a person’s mental health and behavior. It involves understanding the nature of trauma, its effects on the individual, and incorporating this understanding into the therapy process. This approach creates a safe and empathetic space, helping individuals to process and heal from their traumatic experiences in a manner that acknowledges and respects their trauma history.

Emotion-Focused Therapy can be effective for trauma, especially when it's important to process and regulate emotions related to traumatic experiences. However, for severe trauma and PTSD, approaches like EMDR or trauma-focused CBT are often more specifically recommended.

Effective couples therapy involves open communication, a willingness to understand and empathize with each other’s perspectives, and a commitment to working through issues together. The therapist’s role in creating a safe and neutral space for dialogue is crucial. Techniques that focus on building emotional intimacy, improving communication skills, and resolving underlying conflicts contribute significantly to the success of the therapy.

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for individuals focuses on helping a single person understand and change their emotional responses and personal patterns that cause distress. Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy, on the other hand, is designed for couples and concentrates on improving emotional connection, communication, and bonding within the relationship. While the core principles of EFT remain consistent, the application and goals differ based on the therapy context.

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) helps resolve conflicts by encouraging partners to understand and express their underlying emotional needs and fears. It fosters a safe environment where both individuals can explore and share their vulnerabilities. Through this process, EFT assists couples in breaking negative interaction patterns and building stronger emotional bonds, leading to improved communication and a more empathetic understanding of each other.

Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) is a therapeutic approach that emphasizes the importance of emotions and attachment needs in shaping our experiences and relationships. It aims to help individuals identify, experience, accept, and transform their emotions to improve emotional regulation and relationship dynamics.

Key concepts of Emotionally Focused Therapy include the importance of secure attachment, the role of emotions in structuring interaction patterns, and the idea that emotional change is necessary for lasting change in how people perceive themselves and their relationships.

EFT therapy is beneficial for individuals and couples who are struggling with emotional issues or relationship problems. It's particularly effective for those seeking to improve emotional regulation, deepen emotional connections, or resolve interpersonal conflicts.

An example of Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) could involve a therapist helping a client explore and express deep-seated feelings about a significant relationship, identifying patterns of interaction that cause distress, and working to develop healthier ways of relating and responding emotionally.

Emotionally Focused Therapy works because it addresses the fundamental role of emotions and attachment needs in shaping our experiences and relationships. By focusing on emotional awareness, expression, and transformation, it helps individuals and couples create lasting positive changes in their emotional lives and relationships.

Emotionally Focused Therapy typically involves three stages: de-escalation, restructuring interactions, and consolidation. In de-escalation, the focus is on identifying and understanding negative patterns of interaction. The restructuring stage involves creating new, positive interaction patterns based on understanding and responding to each other's emotional needs. The final stage, consolidation, solidifies these changes, helping the couple to apply them in everyday life. These stages help create a secure emotional bond and improve communication.

EFT therapy is generally considered effective, particularly for couples. Research shows that it has a high success rate in improving relationship satisfaction and emotional bonds. For individuals, EFT can be effective in addressing emotional issues and improving interpersonal relationships.

The length of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) can vary depending on the individual or couple’s needs. Typically, EFT for couples might take between 8 to 20 sessions, while individual therapy could be shorter or longer based on the complexity of the issues being addressed.

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) typically involves three stages: de-escalation of negative cycles of interaction, restructuring interactions to create positive emotional experiences, and consolidation where new interaction patterns are integrated and solidified.

Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) is distinct from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). While CBT focuses on changing thought patterns and behaviors to improve mental health, EFT centers on understanding and transforming emotions to facilitate growth and change.

Whether EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) or EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy) is better depends on the individual's needs. EMDR is often used for trauma and PTSD, while EFT is more focused on emotions and relationship issues. The choice should be based on the specific issues and preferences of the individual.

EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy) focuses on emotions and relationship patterns, aiming to create emotional change and strengthen attachments. CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) is more focused on changing thought patterns and behaviors to affect emotional and psychological wellbeing.

People seek grief counseling to help process their emotions and learn to cope with the loss of a loved one. It provides a supportive space to discuss feelings, memories, and challenges, and can offer strategies to manage grief and adjust to changes in life after the loss.

The primary goal of grief counseling is to provide support and guidance to individuals as they process their grief. It aims to help them understand and cope with their emotions, adjust to life without the loved one, and find ways to continue their connection with the deceased in a healthy manner.

The timing for bereavement counselling varies greatly among individuals. Some may benefit from starting counseling soon after a loss to help process their emotions, while others may need time before they feel ready to talk. It's important to listen to your feelings and seek counseling when you feel it might help, regardless of the time frame.

Dealing with grief doesn't have a one-size-fits-all solution. It's a highly personal process that can involve expressing emotions, seeking support from loved ones or professionals, and finding ways to remember and honor the deceased. It's important to allow yourself to experience your emotions without judgment and seek help if you're struggling.

The best counselling approach for grief can vary depending on the individual. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is often effective for addressing negative thought patterns, while Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can help in accepting loss and moving forward. However, for many, grief counseling tailored specifically to loss and bereavement can provide the most direct support, acknowledging and working through the unique stages of grief.

In grief counseling, discussions often revolve around the feelings and experiences related to your loss. This can include sharing memories of the deceased, expressing emotions such as sadness, anger, or guilt, and discussing challenges in adjusting to life without the loved one. It's also common to explore ways to maintain a connection to the deceased while moving forward with your life.

Grief counseling typically focuses on helping individuals process their grief and adapt to life after loss. It often involves discussing emotions and finding coping strategies. Grief therapy, on the other hand, may delve deeper into psychological issues related to the grief, addressing more complex reactions such as prolonged grief disorder or depression.

If someone is struggling to move past their grief, a more intensive form of therapy such as Complicated Grief Therapy (CGT) or Prolonged Grief Disorder Therapy may be appropriate. These therapies focus specifically on complex and prolonged grief, helping individuals to confront and process their emotions in a healing way.

Grief is the emotional response to loss, including feelings like sadness and anger. Mourning is the process of adapting to the loss, often influenced by cultural and social norms. Bereavement refers to the period of time after a loss during which grief and mourning occur.

Grief and loss counselling often employs techniques like narrative therapy, where individuals reconstruct their experiences of loss in a meaningful way. Memory work, where individuals engage with memories of the lost person or thing, and expressive therapies like art or writing, are also common. These techniques help individuals process their emotions, find meaning in their loss, and move towards acceptance and healing.

The main purpose of narrative therapy is to help individuals separate their identity from their problems, understanding that they are not defined by their issues. It encourages people to rewrite their life stories in a way that aligns with their values and desired self-image.

Individuals who are looking to explore and change how they view themselves and their life experiences could benefit from narrative therapy. It's particularly helpful for those who feel constrained by their current life narratives and seek a more empowering and positive self-concept.

In narrative therapy, the therapist and client work together to explore the stories that the client tells about their life, identifying how these narratives influence their identity and behavior. The goal is to help the client rewrite these stories in a way that empowers them and aligns with their values.

Narrative therapy can be beneficial for trauma, especially in helping individuals reframe and gain control over their trauma narrative. However, it may need to be integrated with other trauma-informed approaches for more severe or complex trauma cases.

Narrative therapy varies in duration based on individual needs and goals. Typically, it may last for a few sessions to several months. The duration depends on the complexity of the issues being addressed and how deeply the individual or family wishes to explore their narratives. It's a flexible approach, designed to adapt to the unique pace of each person's journey.

An example of narrative therapy might involve helping a client to re-author their life story, identifying and challenging negative self-narratives, and encouraging them to see themselves in a more empowered and positive light, based on their values, strengths, and competencies.

Narrative therapy differs significantly from CBT. While CBT focuses on changing unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns, narrative therapy concentrates on exploring and rewriting the stories people tell about their lives, focusing on empowerment and separating the person from the problem.

Narrative therapy may not be suitable for individuals who prefer more structured or directive approaches, or those who have difficulty engaging in abstract thinking or storytelling. It might also be less effective for those who need more immediate symptom relief, such as in severe mental health crises.

Starting narrative therapy involves creating a safe and collaborative space where the client feels comfortable sharing their life stories. The therapist will listen and ask questions that help the client explore and challenge these narratives, identifying strengths and alternative viewpoints.

Narrative therapy is a therapeutic approach that focuses on the stories people construct about their lives and experiences. It emphasizes reauthoring these stories in a more empowering way. Writing therapy, on the other hand, involves the act of writing as a tool for healing, where the process of writing itself is therapeutic, helping individuals express and process emotions. While narrative therapy can include writing as a technique, it's broader in scope and not limited to written expression.

In narrative therapy, mental health issues are viewed as separate from the individual. It sees problems as arising from the narratives people construct about their lives, influenced by societal, cultural, and interpersonal factors. The approach encourages individuals to externalize problems and to understand how these narratives shape their experiences and perceptions, aiming to rewrite these narratives in a more positive and empowering way.

Narrative therapy and storytelling share similarities but are not the same. Storytelling is the act of telling a story, often for entertainment, education, or cultural preservation. Narrative therapy uses the concept of storytelling as a therapeutic tool, helping individuals reframe and reconstruct their personal narratives to foster a healthier self-perception and to address psychological challenges.

In individual settings, narrative therapy focuses on the personal stories and experiences of the individual, helping them to reframe and understand their narrative in a more empowering way. In family settings, the approach is broader, considering the narratives of each family member and the family as a whole. It aims to understand how these narratives interact and influence family dynamics, working towards reshaping them in a way that benefits the family unit.