Therapy Styles
At The Flawed Journey, we believe by using a tailored approach around each clients needs, personality and goals it allows direction towards the right therapy style and enhances the likelihood of establishing and maintaining a strong alliance, which is essential for achieving therapeutic goals.
At the beginning of starting sessions, I heavily focus on getting to know you as the client and building up a strong congruent relationship. I see the relationship between client - therapist just like the structure of a building, it needs a strong foundation to stay in place. I do not solely focus on individual's problems, instead I aim to meet people where they are at and create a warm, safe, non-judgmental confidential space where they feel seen, heard and understood.
When first reaching out for therapy it can be incredibly daunting to navigate what therapist and style is suitable for you. You can find helpful information below around different therapy styles I use, this may help you to gather an understanding on what style might be most suitable to you and your needs.
Person-Centred Therapy:
Person-Centred Therapy, also known as Client-Centred Therapy, is a form of psychotherapy developed by psychologist Carl Rogers during the 1940s. It is based on the fundamental belief that individuals have the innate capacity for growth and self-actualisation, and that they possess the resources necessary for positive change within themselves.
Key principles of Person-Centred Therapy include:
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Unconditional Positive Regard: The therapist maintains an accepting and nonjudgmental attitude towards the client, valuing them as a person regardless of their thoughts, feelings, or behaviour's.
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Empathy: The therapist seeks to understand the client's subjective experience from their perspective, demonstrating empathy by accurately reflecting their feelings, thoughts, and experiences.
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Congruence/Genuineness: The therapist is authentic and transparent in their interactions with the client, being genuine and honest in expressing their own feelings and reactions within the therapeutic relationship.
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Client-Centred Approach: The therapy is client-led, with the therapist providing a supportive and facilitative environment for the client to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences at their own pace.
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Self-Exploration and Self-Actualisation: The goal of therapy is to help the client develop greater self-awareness, self-acceptance, and a deeper understanding of themselves, leading to personal growth and fulfilment.
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Non-Directive Approach: The therapist refrains from giving advice, interpretations, or directives to the client, instead trusting in the client's inherent capacity to find their own solutions and insights.
How can Person-Centred Therapy help me?
Clients dealing with anxiety or depression can find relief through Person-Centred Therapy. The non-directive approach allows clients to explore their feelings and thoughts in a safe and supportive environment, which can lead to increased self-awareness and a reduction in symptoms.
Psychodynamic Therapy:
Psychodynamic therapy is a form of talk therapy that focuses on exploring how unconscious thoughts and past experiences influence present behaviour, emotions, and relationships. Developed from the ideas of Sigmund Freud, psychodynamic therapy emphasises the role of the unconscious mind in shaping human behaviour.
Key components of psychodynamic therapy include:
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Unconscious processes: Psychodynamic therapists believe that many of our thoughts, feelings, and motivations are unconscious, meaning they are not fully aware to us. These unconscious processes can influence our behaviour and relationships.
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Early experiences: Psychodynamic therapy often explores how early childhood experiences, particularly relationships with parents and caregivers, shape personality development and patterns of relating to others later in life which can often make adult relationships difficult to form and maintain.
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Defense mechanisms: Individuals may develop defense mechanisms to cope with uncomfortable or distressing thoughts and feelings. Psychodynamic therapy helps clients identify and understand these defense mechanisms and how they impact their lives.
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The therapeutic relationship: The relationship between the therapist and client is central in psychodynamic therapy. The therapist provides a supportive and nonjudgmental environment where the client can explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences.
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Insight and self-awareness: Through exploration and reflection, clients gain insight into unconscious patterns and conflicts, which can lead to greater self-awareness and the ability to make positive changes in their lives.
How can Psychodynamic Therapy help me?
Psychodynamic therapy delves into past experiences, including traumatic events, to understand how they impact current emotions, behaviour's, and thought patterns. It can be particularly helpful for individuals with unresolved childhood trauma or complex PTSD.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a widely used therapeutic approach that focuses on identifying and changing negative patterns of thinking and behaviour. It's based on the idea that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected, and that by changing the way we think about things, we can change how we feel and behave.
Key principles of CBT include:
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Cognitive Restructuring: This involves identifying and challenging negative or distorted thought patterns and replacing them with more realistic and constructive ways of thinking.
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Behavioural Activation: This principle emphasises the importance of engaging in activities that bring a sense of pleasure or accomplishment, even when one doesn't feel like it.
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Exposure Therapy: Used primarily in treating anxiety disorders, exposure therapy involves gradually facing feared situations or stimuli in a safe and controlled manner.
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Problem-Solving Skills: CBT teaches practical problem-solving techniques to help individuals identify and address current problems in their lives.
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Self-Monitoring: Keeping track of thoughts, feelings, and behaviours can help individuals identify patterns and triggers contributing to their difficulties.
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Homework Assignments: CBT often includes homework assignments to practice new skills or apply techniques learned in therapy sessions to real-life situations.
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Collaborative Approach: CBT is a collaborative effort between the therapist and the individual seeking treatment.
How can CBT help me?
Clients experiencing generalised anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, phobias, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can benefit from CBT. It helps them identify and challenge irrational thoughts and behaviours contributing to their anxiety.