We specialise in providing evidence-based treatments such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), EMDR and Schema Focused Therapy. These approaches are used around the world to treat a wide range of problems, both common and not so common. Importantly, clinical trials have been conducted that have shown them to be effective.
These therapies focus on helping people to develop the skills to find solutions to their problems. They are practical and recognise that people benefit from help that focuses on their current problems.
Modern psychological therapists tend to focus on the present, rather than on childhood experiences. They do not involve lying on a couch, dream analysis etc. It can be useful to look at how and when unhelpful patterns developed, and sometimes this type of understanding is important, but our focus is much more on what you want your life to be about now, and what is preventing you from achieving that.
Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
CBT is the most widely used therapy around the world today, and ACT is a newer version of CBT. Both are very practical approaches that focuses on changing unhelpful patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviour.
CBT and ACT are focused on helping people to:
- Recognise the role that thinking and emotions play in helping or hindering them
- Think and act more flexibly
- Identify alternative thinking that is more realistic, helpful and positive
- Distance themselves from the unhelpful or painful thoughts and emotions
- Learn skills to improve coping, e.g., relaxation, assertive communication, problem-solving, goal-setting skills
- Take action towards living a valued and meaningful life
The Beyondblue website gives further information on these treatments.
EMDR
(Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
EMDR was developed to help people recover from disturbing life experiences and trauma. EMDR helps the person heal from psychological trauma in much the same as the body recovers from physical trauma. Research has shown that EMDR produces neurological changes in the brain that result in a rapid reduction of trauma symptoms. It can be used in the treatment of recent and historical traumatic events, anxiety and phobias, panic attacks, addiction and nightmares.
Schema Therapy
Schema Therapy is a longer-term therapy aimed at similar problems to those treated by DBT. Schema are long term patterns of behaviour that are sometimes referred to as self-defeating patterns. People can develop these patterns when they are young and often find them difficult to change, despite their best efforts. Through schema therapy people learn to first identity these self-defeating patterns, then develop skills to change them in an ensuding and sustainable way.
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)
DBT is a fairly recently developed therapy aimed at helping people with longer term problems that do not always respond so well to traditional CBT. For more information see our DBT site DBTsydney.com.au. DBT helps with things like suicidal thoughts and behaviours, self-harm, drug and alcohol problems, eating disorders, problems with sense of self, or unhelpful relationship patterns. DBT involves both groups and individual therapy, both of which we offer.
Choice of Therapeutic Approach
The choice of approaches depends on the nature of your problem and your own preference for one approach over another. For example, in the case of depression all the approaches we use could be used. However, if your problems are related to a specific relationship issue and you wish to work on it directly, then CBT or ACT may be preferable. On the other hand, if you struggle with relationships broader, then DBT may be more suitable.
Your psychologist can help you choose the right approach for you.
Length of Therapy
CBT, ACT and EMDR are short-term therapies. This means that therapy most often takes between six and eighteen sessions. DBT and Schema Therapy are longer term and may last between six months and several years. However, sometimes even the shorter-term therapies can take longer. We recommend setting a small number of realistic goals at the beginning, then working on them for roughly six sessions. After these sessions we can review how you went and set further goals if necessary.
