About Us

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, commonly known as CBT is an effective treatment approach used to manage a range of psychological problems such as anxiety and depression. The basic premise of CBT is that our thoughts, emotions and behaviours are connected and directly impact an individual’s quality of life. The aim is to change difficult behaviours by modifying cognitive processes, which occur in the form of subconscious thoughts (specific to a particular situation), beliefs (attitudes, rules or assumptions that influence subconscious thoughts) and core beliefs (underlying patterns used for organising and processing information).

The principles guiding CBT include:

• Concentrating on the here and now experience, rather than the origin of the problem behaviours.
• Active participation by the individual seeking therapy.
• Empowering the individual to better manage current and future problems by providing alternative strategies.
• Shared approach between the practitioner and client to help identify unhelpful thoughts.
• Problem focussed and outcome oriented.

Acceptance Commitment Therapy, commonly known as ACT, is a mindfulness based therapy that operates on the premise that we need to accept what is out of our control and commit to action that improves and enriches life. The aim of ACT is to teach skills that deal with painful thoughts and feelings effectively, so that they have less influence over us. ACT techniques help to clarify an individual’s personal values and use these to motivate change.

The principles guiding ACT include:

• Connecting to the present moment.
• Detaching from unhelpful thoughts and memories by letting them come and go.
• Learning to cope with painful feelings and sensations.
• Establishing values and what you want your life to be about.
• Taking action guided by your values.

Solution Focussed Brief Therapy also known as SFBT, aims to help individuals find tools that they can use immediately to manage intense emotions and cope with challenges. It is based on the idea that people may already have skills to create change in their lives, but just need help to identify and enhance these skills. The role of a practitioner is to assist individuals to identify their goals and to develop steps that will enable them to become a reality.

Your practitioner will guide you through the process of recognising what is working, developing and maintaining alternative strategies and celebrating success.

The principles of SFBT include:

• Reaching a solution.
• You are the expert.
• If something works do more of it.
• If something does not work, create alternatives.

Mindfulness is the ability to bring your awareness to what you are directly experiencing through your senses or state of mind. Growing research recognises it as an effective way to reduce stress, raise self awareness and challenge unhelpful behaviours. Whilst mindfulness is something that we naturally possess, it is more readily available when we practice it on a daily basis. It allows us to put some space between ourselves and our reactions, breaking down our trained responses.

The essentials of mindful practice include:

• Non judging – being an impartial witness to your experience.
• Patience – understanding that growth happens in its own time.
• Beginners mind – a mind that is willing to see everything as it is for the first time.
• Trust – in yourself, feelings and your experience.
• Non striving – there is no other goal than for you to be.
• Acceptance – seeing things as they actually are in the present.
• Letting go – letting go of the impulse to grasp or push away experiences.