Presence Psychology

CBT is a widely used and evidence-based form of psychotherapy that focuses on the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. It aims to help individuals understand how their thoughts and beliefs influence their emotions and actions, and to develop more adaptive and positive patterns of thinking and behaving. CBT is typically a short-term, structured therapy, with a focus on practical strategies and techniques.

Schema-Focused Therapy, also known as Schema Therapy, is an integrative and long-term psychotherapy approach. It draws from cognitive-behavioural, psychodynamic, and attachment theories to address deep-seated and longstanding emotional and behavioural patterns called “schemas.”

Schemas are core beliefs and themes developed during childhood and adolescence that shape how individuals perceive and interpret themselves, others, and the world around them. These schemas are often dysfunctional and can lead to emotional distress, relationship difficulties, and maladaptive coping strategies.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a form of psychotherapy that falls under the umbrella of third-wave cognitive-behavioural therapies. ACT combines principles from behaviour therapy, mindfulness, and Eastern philosophies to help individuals develop psychological flexibility and create a meaningful life.

Key principles and components of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy:

– Mindfulness
– Acceptance
– Cognitive Diffusion
– Values Clarification
– Committed Action

Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) is rooted in evolutionary psychology, neuroscience, and Buddhist philosophy, and it aims to cultivate and enhance compassion, both towards oneself and others. CFT is particularly beneficial for individuals struggling with high levels of self-criticism, shame, and self-blame.

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a client-centered and goal-oriented counselling approach designed to elicit and strengthen an individual’s motivation for change. It has since been widely used in various fields, including healthcare, addiction treatment, mental health, and behavioural change interventions.

Key principles and techniques of Motivational Interviewing:

– Express Empathy: MI emphasises the importance of understanding and empathizing with the client’s perspective and experiences. The therapist shows genuine empathy, listens actively, and avoids judgmental attitudes.

– Develop Discrepancy: MI helps clients explore the discrepancy between their current behaviors and their personal values, goals, and aspirations. By highlighting the difference between where they are now and where they want to be, clients are motivated to make positive changes.

– Roll with Resistance: Rather than confronting resistance directly, MI works with it and seeks to understand the client’s concerns and ambivalence. The therapist acknowledges resistance without being confrontational, allowing the client to explore their thoughts and feelings openly.

– Support Self-Efficacy: MI fosters belief in the client’s ability to change and empowers them to take control of their choices. The therapist reinforces the client’s self-efficacy and previous successes in making positive changes.

– Avoiding Arguing and Direct Confrontation: MI operates from a collaborative and non-confrontational stance. The therapist avoids arguing with the client or imposing change and instead works to evoke the client’s intrinsic motivation for change.

Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT), also known as Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), is a goal-directed and future-focused therapeutic approach. SFT is based on the belief that individuals have the ability to find solutions to their problems and that change can occur relatively quickly.

Key principles and techniques of Solution-Focused Therapy:

– Brief and Goal-Oriented: SFT is typically brief, focusing on finding solutions rather than dwelling extensively on the problems. The therapist and client collaboratively set specific and achievable goals for the therapy.

– Client-Centered and Empowering: SFT is client-centered, meaning the therapist respects the client’s expertise and knowledge about their own life. Clients are seen as experts in their experiences, and the therapist’s role is to facilitate the client’s ability to find solutions.

– Solution Talk: The therapist helps the client focus on “solution talk” rather than “problem talk.” This involves exploring times when the problem is less intense or absent and identifying exceptions to the problem.

– Scaling Questions: Scaling questions are commonly used in SFT to measure progress and identify small steps towards achieving the client’s goals. The therapist may ask the client to rate their progress on a scale from 1 to 10, with 10 being the client’s desired outcome.

– Amplifying Change: SFT therapists amplify and highlight any positive changes or progress the client has made, further reinforcing their ability to create solutions.

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a specialised psychotherapy. It is primarily used to treat individuals who have experienced trauma and are struggling with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other trauma-related conditions.

EMDR is well-supported by research and has been recognised as an effective treatment for PTSD and other trauma-related conditions. It is designed to help individuals process traumatic memories, reduce distressing emotions and physical sensations associated with trauma, and promote adaptive coping and resolution of trauma-related issues.

Emotion-focused therapy (EFT) approaches healing from the belief that emotions are strongly  linked to identity. Emotions guide us in defining preferences and making decisions on a daily basis.

EFT assumes that: Lack of emotional awareness is considered to be harmful, both for the individual and for their relationships. EFT aims to make individuals more aware of, connected to and better able to manage their emotions.

Emotional change is seen as the key to enduring cognitive and behavioural change. EFT is offered in relationship therapy, as well as individual therapy.  

Chairwork is an experiential method of psychotherapy that is based on the belief that it is healing and transformative for people to speak from their inner voices, parts, or selves and for them to enact or re-enact scenes from the past, the present, or the future. Chairwork has roots in psychodrama and Gestalt therapy.