What is therapy?

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Therapy should provide a non-judgemental and emotionally safe environment which can help you to explore and gain insights into your problems. Together with the therapist you will explore and find different perspectives on your problems, find a way through them, or accept them for what they are and move on.  Working with someone who is not part of your family or friendship groups can mean that it feels easier to open up, and be honest. Your therapist has no agenda other than supporting you and helping you work some things out. This can feel very liberating and for many people, their time in therapy represents the first time they have ever been open and authentic with another human being. The therapeutic relationship can therefore be a very restorative one, and it is one of the most important aspects of successful therapy.   

I use different models in my therapeutic practice.  Sometimes it is enough to explore issues with no particular structure to the sessions.  However, sometimes it is more appropriate to use more structured models such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) which focuses on understanding the link between our emotions, thoughts and behaviours.  Or perhaps some psycho-educational work is necessary, for example understanding the biological symptoms of high anxiety or the cognitive distortions associated with low mood.   Or sometimes an integrated approach is best, in which we combine various models to develop a therapeutic style and content which is best for your own particular needs.