EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It's a psychotherapy approach developed to help individuals alleviate distress associated with traumatic memories. During an EMDR session, the therapist guides the patient through recalling distressing experiences while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation, which could be through eye movements, taps, or sounds. The theory is that this bilateral stimulation helps the brain process the traumatic memories, reducing their emotional impact and allowing the individual to integrate them more healthily into their overall memory network. EMDR has gained recognition and popularity as an effective treatment for PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) and other trauma-related conditions.

ACT stands for Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. It's a type of psychotherapy that falls under the category of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). ACT aims to help individuals live more fulfilling lives by accepting what is beyond their control and committing to actions that enrich their lives and align with their values. ACT has been found effective in treating various mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, and chronic pain. It focuses on building psychological flexibility, which allows individuals to adapt more effectively to life's challenges.

Mindfulness is a mental state characterized by present-moment awareness and non-judgmental acceptance of one's thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surroundings. It involves intentionally paying attention to the present moment with openness, curiosity, and kindness. Mindfulness practices have roots in Buddhist meditation traditions but have been adapted and secularized for use in various settings, including psychotherapy, education, and workplace wellness programs. Research has shown that regular mindfulness practice can lead to numerous benefits for mental and physical well-being, including reduced stress, improved focus and attention, enhanced emotional regulation, and increased resilience.

CBT stands for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, a widely used and evidence-based psychotherapy approach. It's based on the idea that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected, and by changing our thoughts and behaviors, we can change how we feel. CBT has been extensively researched and shown to be effective in treating a wide range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD, OCD, and eating disorders. It's typically time-limited and goal-oriented, with clients and therapists collaboratively setting specific treatment goals and working towards them using structured techniques.

DBT stands for Dialectical Behavior Therapy. It's a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy developed by psychologist Marsha M. Linehan primarily to treat individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD). However, it has also been found effective for other mental health conditions such as substance use disorders, eating disorders, depression, and PTSD. DBT combines elements of cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness practices and dialectical strategies. The term "dialectical" refers to the balance between acceptance and change, which is a central concept in DBT. I do not offer the “full package” of DBT as this requires a group component. I can teach you the DBT skills of emotion regulation, interpesonal effectiveness, distress tolerance and mindfulness and help you apply these to your difficulties.

More often that not, people seek out a therapist because they want someone to listen to, for some advice and to be heard, respected and validated. I can draw upon any of the models described on this page to offer you a person centred approach that best fits your difficulties as and when they arise and when you share them.