Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), is a talking therapy that has been proven to help treat a wide range of issues. CBT works with the idea that our thoughts, behaviours, emotions, and bodily sensations are all connected. By changing what we do (our behaviour) or changing how we think (our thoughts), we can change how we feel.
Using CBT, can help identify any unhelpful patterns that may be keeping your difficulties going. The focus is on making changes in the here and now, and on teaching you skills for life that will help you not only to get well, but to stay well.
CBT has a good evidence base for a wide range of mental health problems in adults, older adults, children and young people. This research has been carefully reviewed by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), who provide independent, evidence-based guidance for the NHS on the most effective ways to treat disease and ill health.
Schema Therapy can be helpful for changing life-long patterns in relationships, difficulties in regulating emotions, personality-level difficulties and healing from traumatic experiences.
It’s a compassionate therapy, in which you work closely with your therapist to understand how your current difficulties link to past experiences. Working towards healing the past pain, can help you to build a healthier and happier self in the present.
Schema therapy has an increasingly strong evidence base for people with personality-level difficulties, depression, and other emotional problems.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) uses acceptance and mindfulness strategies, together with commitment and behaviour change strategies, to increase psychological flexibility. The aim of ACT is to maximise our potential for a rich, full and meaningful life by developing health, vitality and well-being.
ACT has a developing evidence base, with over 20 randomised controlled trials across a variety of mental health issues. Joanna uses ACT to enhance her work with adult clients, and has found it is particularly helpful in working with young people.