Treatment Approach

Evidence-based

Evidence-based practice involves combining contemporary research with clinical expertise and patient values, preferences and cultural context.

To learn more about evidence-based practice click here

Attachment-focussed

Attachment theory is a way of understanding mental health problems across the lifespan. It holds that whilst our mental wellbeing is experienced as personal, it is heavily influenced by the quality of our relationships with others both past and present

To learn more about attachment theory click here

Change-Orientated

My work is focussed on helping people to experience more freedom, vitality, authenticity and contentment in their lives, by making significant changes in painful and entrenched patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving. Goals are discussed early in treatment, followed by a collaborative process between client and therapist aimed at identifying and addressing root causes of problems.

Experiential

Mental health concerns tend to be associated with physical symptoms such as tension, pain, fatigue, stress, dread and health issues, as well as harmful physical behaviours such as addiction, withdrawing, avoidance, compulsions, anger outbursts, and relationship issues. It is therefore important that therapy involves more than just talking, but also involves inquiry into the physical experience of mental health symptoms. Treatment therefore involves building awareness of emotional reactions at a physical level in order to reduce the prevalence of distressing symptoms and promote greater mental and physical well-being.

Relational

I believe that a safe, understanding, authentic and compassionate working relationship between patient and therapist is a key aspect of successful treatment. In this sense I have been influenced by psychoanalytic therapy, which places emphasis on the therapeutic relationship as the key ingredient in successful therapy. Psychoanalytic therapy also places emphasis on the importance of patterns of feeling and behaving that happen without us consciously knowing about it. Therapy therefore involves becoming more aware of these pattern in order to decrease any harmful or constraining effects on our lives

The following document is also helpful in describing the Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy approach which informs much of my work. Please click here to learn more.