COUNSELLING & PSYCHOTHERAPY In today’s society there are so many stresses and strains that occur for reasons within or outside our control. These may be as a result of our past, present or future, and may include issues relating to family, money, relationships, expectations, loss, fear, disorders, illness, work, etc. As a result, more and more people are discovering the benefits of counselling and/or psychotherapy. Both counselling and psychotherapy offer you a chance to talk things through, give you the opportunity to explore the difficulties in your life, and empower you to make the best decisions about what to do. COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is based on the concept that changing negative thinking patterns and behaviours can have a powerful effect on a person's emotional state. CBT is a psychological approach, based on scientific principles that have shown to be effective for a wide range of problems with young people, adults, families & individuals. CBT is also based on the logic and belief in the power of the individual to take charge, and to control and change their negative thoughts, feelings and actions. CBT usually focuses on the “here and now” issues rather than focusing on things from the past. However past issues are focused on where necessary. The therapy normally has three stages: a beginning, a middle and an end. The process employs a very directive, action-oriented approach, which teaches a person to explore, identify and analyse dysfunctional patterns of thinking and acting. This is achieved by the client and therapist working together to identify and understand problems in terms of the relationship between thoughts, feelings and behaviour. Once the problems and counter productive patterns are identified and analysed a programme of intervention is established and designed specifically to the needs of the individual. The client will learn to develop alternative and more constructive viewpoints to tackle their problems. Some areas in which CBT is used for adults, young people, families and individuals are depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, ADHD, child conduct disorder, anger, trauma, phobias, addictions, eating disorders, PTSD, sleeping disorders, child abuse, personality disorders, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), etc. ANGER MANAGEMENT Anger is a common emotion experienced by us all. Aggressive behaviour in the form of arguments, indirect hostility, threats and displaced aggression are common place. However, anger, if used constructively, can be a positive and empowering emotion. Anger can become problematic when it is experienced with such frequency or intensity that it interferes with aspects of a person’s life, such as social, educational and/or occupational functioning. Problematic anger and its associated problems include ineffective communication, disruption of interpersonal relationships, non achievement, low self-esteem, mental health problems (e.g. anxiety and depression), devaluation of others, maladaptive responses to stress and susceptibility to physical illness (e.g. heart attacks). Anger is influenced by our cognition, behaviour and physiology. The major origins or causes of anger are likely to be interactions of both internal and external factors. The expression of anger is strongly socially and culturally determined and there are gender differences in the expression of anger. Cognitive behaviour therapy aims to allow the individual to anticipate triggers, understand the anger, reduce physiological arousal, challenge thoughts, modify beliefs, develop more adaptive coping strategies and change behaviours, and to provide relapse prevention strategies. CHILD & FAMILY THERAPY We work therapeutically with children, young people and families in a number of ways. Firstly we can work with children and young people to address a wide range of issues through counselling, psychotherapy, CBT and play work approaches. These issues include anxiety, stress, depression, anger, low self-esteem, behavioural issues, eating disorders, substance abuse, personal relationships, bereavement, child abuse, attachment, separation anxiety disorder, trauma, phobias, eating and sleeping difficulties, body image issues, sexuality, sexual health, etc. We can also work with parents to look at how parenting skills and family dynamics can impact on the behaviour and emotional state of children and young people and how by making changes in these areas behavioural and emotional issues can be addressed. Finally, general family therapy involves working with family members to improve communication, to help them find constructive ways to help each other, to effect changes in the way the family dynamic functions and to help families make decisions and move forward. NEURO LINGUISTIC PROGRAMMING Neuro – relates to the mind Linguistic – relates to language Programming – the sequence of actions used to achieve an outcome Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) studies the structure of how humans think and experience the world. It is a systematic study of human communications. The structure of NLP is subjective and thus does not lend itself to precise, statistical formulae. Instead it leads to models of how these things work. People make the best known choice they have at any given time. However the more choices a person has, the better chance they have of success. Through NLP people can learn to achieve better choice/change and improve their personal and/or professional lives. We are all different so NLP is whatever works for you. NLP believes any system of success can be taught and learnt. Some areas in which NLP can be applied include relationship difficulties, negotiation and mediation, fears and phobias, trauma, habits and compulsions, lack of social skills, difficulty in relaxing, chronic injury or pain, life planning, motivation issues, lack of confidence, lack of assertiveness, unproductive meetings, decision making, creativity and cognitive problem solving, time management, etc. ASSESSMENTS Therapeutic Assessments The main purpose of a therapeutic assessment is to assess and evaluate information given to the psychologist by the client so a diagnosis and counselling strategy can be determined. Client information is gathered in various ways including interviews and questionnaires (psychological testing may also occur where necessary). Information may also be obtained from relevant third parties (e.g. doctors in clients suffering with chronic fatigue syndrome, etc.) so a full and comprehensive assessment can be compiled. Occupational Assessments The main purpose of occupational assessment is to identify suitable canditates for a particular job and/or promotion, reasons for absenteeism (stress, anxiety, depression, etc.), treatment recommendations, diagnostics to improve working conditions, proposals for any measures to be taken in improving working conditions and procedures to be implemented.