THERAPY FRAMEWORKS
I utilise a variety of therapy frameworks:
Schema Therapy
Dialetical Behaviour Therapy
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Emotion Focused Therapy
SCHEMA THERAPY
Schema therapy is based on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT). It extends on CBT by not only helping us with modifying our thoughts and behaviours, but it helps us make sense of enduring life patterns, core ingrained beliefs, unhelpful behaviours, and our emotional states.
Schema Therapy is built on a model of understanding core emotional needs and the negative impact on a human being when these core needs are unmet.
Unmet core emotional needs in childhood and adolescence create schemas, which can be perpetuated throughout adulthood. Schemas are comprised of cognitions, emotions, memories, and body sensations that influence how an individual views themself, relationships and the world. We then see the world ‘through the lens of our schemas’, negatively interrupting and impacting our adult lives!
Schema Therapy can allow us to understand and development more adaptive, helpful and healthy behaviours and beliefs for the present.
Schema therapy helps us:
Become emotionally aware and to express and regulate our emotions
Develop appropriate and healthy behavioural responses to situations and triggers
Develop healthy beliefs that allow us to function in our everyday
Develop healthy relationships with yourself and others
Sources:
https://brisbaneschematherapy.com.au/
Farrell, J. M., Reiss, N. and Shaw, I. A. (2014). The Schema Therapy Clinician’s Guide: A complete resource for building and delivering individual, group and integrated schema mode treatment programs.
DIALECTICAL BEHAVIOUR THERAPY
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a type of cognitive behaviour therapy. The main goals of DBT are to teach people how to live in the moment, develop healthy ways to cope with stress, regulate their emotions, and improve their relationships with others.
DBT was originally intended to treat borderline personality disorder (BPD), but it has been adapted and used to assist people with other mental health difficulties.
DBT was initially designed for adults but has also been modified for adolescents.
In my practice, I provide individual therapy which draws on the principles and protocols of DBT.
In individual therapy, a DBT-informed approach is taken, incorporating the fundamental principles of DBT including validation, a behavioural approach, and improving skills.
It is important to note that individual therapy with myself is not “doing DBT”. Doing DBT involves undertaking multiple skills training modules in a group setting, and attending individual coaching sessions.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy is recommended for individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder. It can also be a good therapy fit for individuals who want to target difficulties with emotion regulation, distress tolerance and interpersonal functioning.
COGNITIVE BEHAVIOUR THERAPY
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a short-term, goal-oriented, symptom reduction focused therapy treatment. CBT focuses on improving individuals’ psychological wellbeing by focusing on changing thoughts, beliefs and behaviours. CBT is an evidence based therapy that has been shown to be effective for a range of presenting concerns, including but not limited to anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and PTSD.
ACCEPTANCE AND COMMITMENT THERAPY
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) gets it name from one of its core messages: accept what is out of your personal control, and commit to action that improves and enriches your life.
The aim of ACT is to maximise human potential for a rich, full and meaningful life. ACT (which is pronounced as the word ‘act’, not as the initials) does this by:
+ teaching you psychological skills to deal with your painful thoughts and feelings effectively – in such a way that they have much less impact and influence over you (these are known as mindfulness skills).
+ helping you to clarify what is truly important and meaningful to you – i.e your values – then use that knowledge to guide, inspire and motivate you to change your life for the better
ACT has been shown to be effective for helping people with a range of mental health difficulties, including anxiety and depression.
EMOTION FOCUSED COUPLES THERAPY
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is a form of therapy that prioritises emotion in informing us about our deepest needs and values. EFT can be used with individuals, couples and families and aims to help people to express, explore and understand their reactions, behaviours and thoughts; all with a view to helping them to connect with their deepest needs and with the people who matter to them. This then allows them to live more full, satisfying and connected lives.
A substantial body of research supporting the effectiveness of EFT for couples now exists. Research studies find that 70-75% of couples move from distress to recovery and approximately 90% show significant improvements in marital satisfaction. The major contraindications for EFT are on-going violence in the relationship or an ongoing affair.
Strengths of Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples
EFT is based on clear, explicit conceptualisations of marital distress and adult love. These conceptualisations are supported by empirical research on the nature of marital distress and adult attachment.
EFT is collaborative and respectful of clients combining experiential Rogerian techniques with structural systemic interventions.
Change strategies and interventions are specified.
Key moves and moments in the change process have been mapped into nine steps and three change events.
EFT has been validated by over 20 years of empirical research. There is also research on the change processes and predictors of success.
EFT has been applied to many different kinds of problems and populations.
EFT is non-blaming.
EFT is not affiliated with any particular religious beliefs.
EFT is relevant for any couple wanting to improve their sense of connection; whether they are mixed gender, same gender, monogamous or non-monogamous.
Goals of Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples
+ To expand and re-organise key emotional responses
+ To create a shift in partner’s interactional positions and initiate new cycles of interaction
+ To foster the creation of a secure bond between partners.
Source: http://www.iceeft.com/index.php/about-us/what-is-eft
What EFT Couples Therapy Looks Like
EFT is all about attachment. It focuses on repetitive cycles of interaction that couples get caught in where they trigger each other’s attachment panic and react in rigid, protective ways. Both partner’s best attempts to get their emotional needs met unfortunately trigger the other to react defensively and serve to create distance and pain, rather than closeness and emotional safety. We call this a dance because the steps are so well known and each partner affects the other intimately. Most couples know the steps of their “dance” very well and often feel helpless to change the steps. This is where EFT comes in. Instead of simply working on communication skills that can sometimes feel like a “bandaid” to the situation, EFT aims to help couples to see their dance and exit their dance by sending more clear messages about emotional needs in ways that do not trigger the defenses and fears of their partner. EFT goes to the heart of the matter by uncovering the deeper needs and fears that often go unheard and by helping partners express these to one-another. This is how they create a new experience of connection, safety and security.