Therapeutic approaches
As a ​graduate from Birmingham University Clinical Psychology Course, I am primarily trained in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and psychodynamic psychotherapy. While, CBT is the therapy of choice for a range of mental health difficulties as stated in the NICE guidelines, many may have already tried CBT or other therapies and not been able to make or sustain changes necessary to improve their life; this can be disheartening and leave people wondering what can help. My 22 years of clinical experience has shaped the post clinical training I have undertaken and I have specialised in approaches that I have found useful to overcome common blocks that can occur when trying to address a range of issues.
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Following qualification I became an accredited EMDR practitioner under the supervision of Derek Farrell (chair of EMDR UK). I have recently become an Accredited Consultant in EMDR. This therapeutic approach can help to shift underlying trauma that can block progress and complements our natural ability to adapt and recover. Similarly, Compassion Focused Therapy is a development of CBT that addresses issues of shame that can block success in therapy. Both of these approaches work on our increasing understanding of how our brains have evolved and the pitfalls that can can occur. Each approach helps clients to develop a greater understanding of how their difficulties have understandably arisen, and through developing a compassionate and realistic approach to difficulties allows people to learn ways to overcome the necessary skills to manage their lives better.
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Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Affect Management Skills Training
Compassion Focused Therapy
Survivors work
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
This therapeutic approach uses bilateral stimulation of the brain either through eye movements or other means to assist the brain in processing experiences adaptively. It was initally developed to address post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and this is recognised by the NICE guidelines as treatment of choice. It can also be used to successfully treat a wide of difficulties from phobias to other anxiety based difficlties, such as performance anxiety, depression and eating disorders. www.emdrassociation.org.uk/
Affect Management Skills Training
Based on principles of EMDR, John Omaha devised AMST as a set of skills that can be developed to help people understand and learn to manage different emotional states. I have been fortunate to have trained with John when he visited the UK in 2010. Emotional regulation difficulties are common to a lot of different presentations and difficulties, including addiction, depression and eating problems. I am sure many can relate to feeling that your response to everyday stress is made worse by how they tap into old experiences. Learn how to manage and understand your emotions to help set you free from old behaviour and thought patterns.
Compassion Focused Therapy
CFT is a development of cognitive behavioural therapy which builds on our understanding of how our brain has evolved and the glitches that occur due to this evolution. We are all familiar with that feeling of "I know the logic but just can't feel differently or do things differently". Understanding how our brain works can help us begin to think more compassionately about how we fall into common traps. Developing compassion for others and ourselves can help us begin to rewire how we cope with a sense of threat in a more balanced way. This is useful approach for those whom other therapies have been lacking. www.compassionatemind.co.uk/
Work with Survivors of Childhood Sexual, Physical and Emotional Abuse.
Reparation is possible and sometimes this involves simply recounting your story and being heard. When childhood is interrupted and you main focus has had to be simply surviving, you will be denied the opportunity to develop other essential skills. Effective therapy requires recognising this and developing a new understanding of what has happened to you.