Therapies & Counselling Modalities

There is support for everyone

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

is a short-term therapy that helps change negative thoughts and behaviors. It is based on the idea that our thoughts, feelings, and actions are linked, and changing negative thoughts can improve emotions and behaviors. CBT is often used to treat mental health issues like anxiety, depression, PTSD, and stress. A therapist assists in recognizing faulty thinking, developing coping skills, and applying practical strategies to enhance daily life and mental health.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

helps manage emotions, particularly for those with borderline personality disorder, suicidal thoughts, and self-destructive behaviors. . It focuses on four key areas:

  1. Mindfulness: Increasing present-moment awareness without judgment.

  2. Distress Tolerance: Managing painful emotions and crises without self-harm.

  3. Emotional Regulation: Identifying and managing strong emotions to enhance stability.

  4. Interpersonal Effectiveness: Improving communication skills for healthy relationships.

Somatic Experiencing (SE)

Somatic experiencing is a therapeutic approach that helps individuals heal from trauma and stress disorders. Developed by Dr. Peter Levine, it focuses on the mind-body connection and the role of bodily sensations in emotional distress. This method posits that trauma is stored in the body, manifesting as tension or pain.

During sessions, practitioners guide clients to notice and explore physical sensations, allowing for the gradual release of stored trauma. Techniques include mindfulness, grounding exercises, and movement, which aim to restore balance in the nervous system, enhance resilience, and improve emotional regulation. Overall, somatic experiencing provides a holistic healing path that acknowledges the body’s key role in emotional wellness.

Informed Internal Family Systems(IFS)

created by Dr. Richard Schwartz in the 1980s, suggests the mind consists of sub-personalities or "parts," each with unique perspectives and emotions. These parts develop from life experiences, particularly trauma, influencing thoughts and behaviors. IFS identifies three main types of parts:

  • Exiled Parts: Vulnerable aspects suppressed due to trauma, holding emotional pain and typically hidden.

  • Manager Parts: Control the individual’s life to prevent pain from resurfacing, often exhibiting perfectionism or caution.

  • Firefighter Parts: React impulsively to soothe distress when exiled parts are triggered, leading to behaviors like substance abuse or emotional outbursts.

IFS therapy aims to foster dialogue between the Self—the core, wise part—and the various parts. This process aids in understanding internal dynamics, promoting healing, and addressing issues related to anxiety, depression, and trauma compassionately.

Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT)

emphasizes the importance of emotions in human functioning and relationships. Created by Dr. Leslie Greenberg in the 1980s, it posits that understanding and addressing emotions fosters healing and personal growth.

EFT helps individuals explore and process emotions, leading to greater self-awareness and insight into how emotions influence behavior and relationships. In a typical session, therapists guide clients to:

  • Identify Emotions: Recognize and articulate feelings, both current and past.

  • Explore Emotions: Understand how emotions affect thoughts and behaviors, causing distress or relational issues.

  • Regulate Emotions: Develop coping strategies for difficult emotions, promoting healthier responses.

  • Transform Emotions: Shift negative emotional responses to constructive ones that enhance well-being and relationships.

EFT is effective for anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship challenges, fostering deeper connections and improved mental health.

Narrative therapy

lives as stories and emphasizes narrative's role in shaping identity. It helps individuals re-author their experiences by separating from their problems, allowing a new perspective. Key components include:

  • Externalization: Separating the person from their problems to better understand them.

  • Deconstruction: Examining and breaking down personal stories to question harmful beliefs.

  • Re-authoring: Encouraging clients to rewrite their narratives by identifying strengths and values.

  • Thickening the Plot: Expanding on alternative stories and identities to reinforce a positive self-narrative.

This therapy is effective for trauma, anxiety, depression, and relationship challenges, leading to healing and personal growth.

Compassionate Inquiry

developed by Dr. Gabor Maté, focuses on understanding the emotional and psychological factors behind an individual's pain. It fosters compassionate engagement between therapist and client, creating a safe space for exploration and healing.

Key principles include:

  • Deep Listening: The therapist listens without judgment, tuning into the client's experiences.

  • Curiosity: Clients are encouraged to explore thoughts and feelings to uncover underlying beliefs.

  • Presence: The therapist's presence fosters safety and trust, aiding clients in connecting with their inner experiences.

  • Healing Trauma: It addresses the impact of trauma on behavior and emotions, helping clients understand how past experiences affect current struggles.

  • Authenticity: Clients are encouraged to express their true selves, revealing hidden emotions and facilitating healing.

This approach empowers individuals to gain insight into their suffering, navigate emotions effectively, and enhance their emotional well-being.

EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing,

is a psychotherapy approach to reduce distress from traumatic memories. Developed by Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s, it involves an eight-phase process where clients recall distressing memories while engaging in bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements or taps. This technique helps process memories, lowering their emotional intensity and providing new insights. EMDR is effective for PTSD, anxiety, depression, and trauma-related issues, offering a rapid path to healing.

*** Not limited to the modalities mentioned above.

What Counselling May Help With

(But not limited to)

Anxiety counselling

Depression counselling

Life Transitions

Grief & loss Counselling

Relationship counselling

Child & Youth Counselling

Teenage counselling

Parental Counselling

Anger Management

School & learning challenges

Boundaries

Stress management

Self Esteem

Counselling for men

Postpartum depression and anxiety

Trauma & PTSD

Family dynamics

Co-Parenting

Developmental trauma

Shock Trauma

Relational trauma

and more …