Therapeutic Approach
At flourish inside out Psychology Services, I believe that every individual has their own biological predisposition and unique history which shapes how they perceive the world. Every individual has their own personal strengths which we hope they bring to therapy. While I use evidence-based treatment approaches, I am also aware that treatment is not a one-size-fits-all model. I will work collaboratively with you in a holistic and empathic manner to tailor treatment approaches best suited to your needs. I am trained in the following therapeutic modalities:
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT is a behavioural therapy to help individuals live their lives and behave as guided by their core values. In ACT, we help increase an individual’s awareness of their thoughts, emotions bodily sensations and behaviours and clarify their values. Skills include mindfulness skills to gain an awareness of internal and external experiences, self-compassion skills, and acceptance skills. Values determine goals in therapy and the overarching aim is to help individuals live a meaningful and satisfying life while effectively handling the pain that inevitably comes with life.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a time-limited, structured psychological therapy based on the theory that our thinking influences our feelings and behaviours. In CBT, we help clients identify and change unhelpful thinking and behavioural patterns in order to feel better. This is not the same as “just thinking positively”. Treatment generally involves keeping thought records, identifying unhelpful thought and behavioural patterns, challenging unhelpful beliefs, graded exposure, changing maintaining behaviours and thoughts, behavioural experiments, problem-solving and communication skills. CBT is considered the gold-standard treatment, particularly for anxiety and mood disorders.
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
DBT is a structured and evidence-based intervention to help improve emotional regulation and interpersonal relationships. While the origins of DBT are a group-based intervention, the skills can be used in individual therapy. Clients are taught key skills in four areas including Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Emotion Regulation, and Interpersonal skills. With adolescents, there is an additional skill about Walking the Middle Path. DBT skills help increase adaptive behaviours and reduce maladaptive behaviours so individuals can have a life worth living.
Positive Psychology
Unlike the name, positive psychology is not about being happy or positive all the time. Rather, it is a shift away from focussing on what is clinically wrong and instead, promoting wellbeing and creating a satisfying life filled with meaning, pleasure, engagement, positive relationships and accomplishment. It focusses on human flourishing.
Compassion-Focussed therapies (CFT)
CFT helps promote emotional and mental wellbeing by assisting individuals to be compassionate towards themselves and others. It is a recently developing area in psychology and self-compassion approaches are being used in conjunction with other therapeutic approaches like ACT.