Approaches to Therapy
As Clinical Psychologists, both Melanie and Catherine have extensive training and experience in their preferred therapeutic approaches. These include: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Eye-Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy. They use a range of evidence-based modalities to assist clients to achieve their goals.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Unhelpful thinking patterns contribute to ongoing emotional and relationship difficulties. They can get in the way of a person making sustainable life changes.
CBT is a goal oriented and solution focused method that addresses maladaptive thinking to bring about lasting change to emotions and behaviours. CBT identifies existing unhelpful beliefs and supports the development and consolidation of new ways of thinking and behaving. Therapeutic goals might include skill development in the areas of assertiveness, effective communication, boundary setting, problem solving, goal setting and anger management. Practising cognitive and behavioural strategies discussed in sessions is an integral part of the therapy.
CBT is well researched and effective in the treatment of a range of issues including anxiety, depression, sleep, gambling and substance use problems.
Motivational Interviewing
Making change is something that we all struggle with even when there are compelling reasons to do so.
MI is a client centred counselling method that values a collaborative, respectful approach to the therapeutic relationship. Its aim is to assist people to overcome barriers to change by helping them to explore and resolve ambivalence about a particular issue.
The application of MI techniques has been especially useful in the areas of substance use problems, mental health, health related issues, and in helping people to persist with the behavioural changes they are trying to achieve.
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing
EMDR helps people to address the emotional distress resulting from disturbing life events. It has shown that the mind can heal from psychological trauma. The meaning of the painful event is alleviated on an emotional level. The memory can be recollected without significant distress and the meaning of the event shifts. The person comes to hold more useful and positive thoughts about themselves.
What We Want for Our Clients
- For you to feel heard and respected.
- To have a positive experience of working collaboratively with a psychologist.
- To connect or reconnect with feelings of hope and gain a positive vision for the future.
- To move beyond counselling with an understanding of your strengths and the skills to make changes
- that will help you to meet future challenges.
“You can never solve a problem with the same kind of thinking that created the problem in the first place” – Albert Einstein