Types of Therapy

I work primarily with three styles of counselling. The first is person-centred. This involves really listening to the client and reflecting back what they are expressing to me in various ways. This can help the client to understand their thought process and can sometimes lead to those ‘lightbulb moments’ where they start to see things with clarity. This style relies on the importance of building a relationship of trust which is respectful and accepting of the client and where they are presently.

The second style is CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy). The focus is on helping a client alter the way they think, where irrational, self-destructive thoughts are replaced by more realistic, rational thoughts. For example where clients, over generalize towards sweeping statements made from limited evidence, or thinking in a very black and white, rigid way, when more flexible thinking is needed.

The third style is emotionally focused therapy (see the section family counselling).