You’ve reached a point in your life and you need some professional support; you’ve decided to access the services of a psychotherapist but you're not sure where to start or even which kind therapy you need. It’s understandable, approximately a whopping, 500 talking therapy models exist!
So how do you know which psychotherapy to chooose?Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
If you have been diagnosed with a clinical mental health condition by your GP or psychiatrist, your diagnosis will determine the recommended treatment. Most talking therapies recommend Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) because it has been researched extensively and found to be effective in the treatment of mood and anxiety disorders. Most CBT interventions take around 12-24 sessions although some issues, such as Eating Difficulties, may require longer term treatment.
Trauma Focussed Therapy
Trauma and complex trauma symptoms often cause people to seek professional help. The symptoms can be wide ranging and include flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety and low mood. Both Trauma focussed CBT and Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR) are effective treatments for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Both therapies help Trauma Survivors feel more present and safe in the here and now; the psychotherapeutic techniques utilised enable individuals to feel like their trauma is something that happened in the past as opposed to something that they re-experience in their daily lives. Trauma focussed therapy also helps people begin to challenge any negative assumptions or beliefs that might have formed as a result of traumatic experiences.
Emotional Regulation Problems
Emotional Dysregulation difficulties can be part of symptomology for a wide range of difficulties such as Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), severe depression, ADHD and Complex PTSD. DBT Skills Training can help you learn coping strategies to manage your daily life much more effectively and calmly; DBT supports you to stay mindful of your emotions and impulses. DBT does not look to the past, instead it focusses on helping you build a toolbox of skills to practice and use for the rest of your life.
Difficulties From Childhood
Schema Therapy is effective in treating individuals whose experiences in their earlier life have caused them to adopt maladaptive emotional and behavioural patterns. These patterns unintentionally negative impact on current functioning and effect relationships and self esteem. For this reason Schema Therapy is useful for supporting individuals with Complex PTSD, BPD, Adult Attachment Difficulties, Chronic Self Esteem Difficulties and Depression. Schema Therapy helps you understand how the past has effected your present and build healthier patterns in the future. It also supports you to feel like upsetting memories have been resolved.
Geraldine Claire provides psychotherapy for adults and young people online or from her office in Wilmslow. If you would like to book an appointment with her or discuss CBT, EMDR, DBT or Schema Therapy, reach out using admin@geraldineclairetherapy.co.uk or call 07908710526.