Working with Me
I believe that awareness and understanding are the keys to any meaningful personal change. As such, my approach starts with exploration sessions, where we will explore your difficulties, history, strengths, and goals in more detail and I will provide you with an individualised formulation and recommendations.
A psychological formulation is a collaborative, dynamic and evolving process. It is a way of us working together to understand YOU and any psychological difficulties or challenges you may be experiencing. It is a conceptual framework developed to make sense of your symptoms, behaviours, and experiences within a psychological context.
A formulation attempts to answer the question of "why" you are experiencing certain difficulties. By exploring the underlying causes, maintaining factors, and relevant influences, a formulation aims to provide insights into your unique psychological makeup, and serves as a roadmap to promote positive personal change.
As a psychologist, a formulation helps me to tailor my recommendations and treatment plan, so they address your unique requirements, and support my aim of helping you to create a rich, fulfilling and meaningful life.
Therapeutically I primarily draw on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and EMDR after seeing the benefits of these therapies on my own life and those I have worked with.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or “ACT” is powerful therapeutic approach that helps individuals navigate the challenges of life by promoting acceptance, mindfulness, and committed action. Developed in the late 20th century by Steven C. Hayes, ACT has gained recognition and popularity for its efficacy in treating a wide range of psychological issues.
ACT empowers individuals to live a rich, full and meaningful life aligned with their core values by fostering psychological flexibility. Psychological flexibility is the ability to stay in contact with the present moment regardless of unpleasant thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations, while choosing our behaviours based on the situation and our own personal values. Research shows that being more psychologically flexible can help reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health problems Additionally, studies have shown that psychological flexibility can build resilience and is a fundamental aspect of good mental health and wellbeing.
Psychological flexibility can be strengthened through developing the six core ACT processes; Acceptance, Cognitive Defusion, Mindful Awareness, Self-as Context, Values, Committed Action. As such, learning skills thst develop these processes is the main activity of ACT.
EMDR
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a highly effective psychotherapeutic approach that can help individuals overcome the impact of traumatic or distressing events and other psychological difficulties.
EMDR was developed by psychologist Dr. Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s and has since gained recognition as an evidence-based therapy for trauma. It is particularly effective for individuals who have experienced either single or repeated traumatic events and can also be beneficial for those struggling with phobias, anxiety, depression, performance anxiety, low self-worth, pain conditions and other related difficulties.
During an EMDR session, we will begin by establishing a safe and trusting therapeutic space. We will discuss your treatment goals and develop a thorough understanding of your past experiences, present challenges, and desired outcomes. This initial phase allows us to create a customized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.
The core technique of EMDR involves bilateral stimulation, which can be achieved through eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones. By engaging in these side-to-side movements, we activate both hemispheres of the brain, facilitating the processing of distressing memories and emotions. This bilateral stimulation appears to stimulate the brain's natural healing processes, allowing for the integration of distressing or upsetting memories into healthier, adaptive neural networks.
Throughout the EMDR session, you will be asked to bring to mind the distressing memory while simultaneously focusing on the bilateral stimulation. As the treatment progresses, you may notice a decrease in the emotional charge associated with the memory, along with a shift in your thoughts, beliefs, and perceptions related to the event. EMDR helps you process and reprocess these experiences, enabling you to gain new insights, release negative emotions, and develop healthier coping strategies.
One of the advantages of EMDR is its ability to produce rapid results. Many individuals report significant improvements in their symptoms within a relatively short period. However, the duration of treatment varies depending on the nature and complexity of the issues being addressed. EMDR is an integrative therapy that can be combined with other therapeutic approaches to provide comprehensive support for your mental and emotional well-being.