Therapy approaches we use

CBT is based on the idea that the way we think affects how we feel and what we do. It's a structured, time-limited therapy that helps you identify, question and change the thoughts and beliefs linked to distressing feelings and behaviours.

In practice, that can mean noticing unhelpful thinking patterns, checking how well they fit your situation, and trying out new ways of thinking and acting in daily life.

A strengths-based, goal-oriented approach that builds on the strengths and past successes you already have, and works toward the future you want.

Rather than focusing mainly on the problem, it looks at times when the problem isn't affecting you, and at what you already know about what makes life better.

A respectful, non-blaming approach that treats you as the expert in your own life and sees problems as separate from people.

It looks at the stories you tell about difficult situations and how they shape the way you understand the problem, which can open up other ways of seeing it and responding to it.

Approaches that bring mindfulness practice into therapy, including mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), which combines cognitive therapy with mindfulness meditation.

The aim is to notice automatic thoughts and observe them without judgment, rather than reacting to them straight away.

ACT builds psychological flexibility by changing how difficult thoughts and feelings affect you, rather than trying to get rid of them.

It uses mindfulness and acceptance alongside a focus on your values, so you can make room for what's hard and still act on what matters to you.

An experiential, humanistic therapy for individuals that works with how you process emotions. It sees emotions as closely connected to how we make decisions and changes in life.

It's a different model from emotionally focused therapy for couples.

A research-based approach to couples therapy that starts with an assessment of the relationship and works to reduce conflictual communication and increase intimacy, respect and affection.

Our psychologists hold up to Level 2 certificates in Gottman Method Couples Therapy. See couples and relationship counselling.

DBT is a talk therapy designed for people who experience emotions intensely. It combines acceptance with change, and teaches skills in four areas: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation and getting along with others.

It's strongly focused on skills, and can help with managing intense emotions or conflict in relationships.

Existential therapy looks at meaning, choice and self-determination. It starts from the idea that life doesn't come with a given meaning, so part of the work is making your own sense of the world.

It tends to centre on you as a person rather than on a symptom, and on the choices you make about how you want to live.

Person-centred therapy sees you as the expert in your own life. Rather than directing the sessions, your psychologist offers empathy, genuineness and acceptance so you can work through difficult feelings and change in your own way.

You lead the conversation about what's on your mind, with your psychologist's support.

EMDR is a structured therapy designed to help people recover from trauma and PTSD. It uses guided bilateral stimulation, such as side-to-side eye movements, to help the brain reprocess distressing memories.

Members of our team use EMDR in their work with adults on trauma. Visit our team page to find psychologists who work this way.

A parts-based approach that sees personality as made up of different parts, or ego states, and works with the conflicts between them, sometimes described as a "family of self".

Members of our team integrate ego state therapy into their work. Visit our team page to find psychologists who work this way.