Anna’s Therapeutic Tools
Often clients have heard of CBT or mindfulness or something else, but all these terms seem complicated and difficult to understand. Imagine seeing a couple of different doctors when you have the flu. One may recommend bedrest and fluids; another, medications; another says take high dose Vitamin C; or a combination. In the same manner, different therapists, use different techniques (tools). Some might suit specific problems. Some might fit with the therapists own theories and ideas. Following are simple descriptions of the tools I have learnt to support my clients in their journey to obtain their goals. All approaches are evidence based.
ACT: Acceptance & Commitment Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) gets it name from one of its core messages: accept what is out of our personal control, and commit to actions that improve and enrich your life.
ACT achieves this by supporting clients to develop skills to deal with painful thoughts and feelings, in such a way that they have much less impact and influence (these are known as mindfulness skills - see below). It also helps to clarify what is truly important and meaningful to the client – through understanding their values – then using that knowledge to guide, inspire and motivate change in their life for the better.
CBT - Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
CBT was designed to go deep into a client’s underlying thought process in order to better understand how their thoughts affect their behavior. The purpose of this form of therapy is to change the thought processes therefore changing negative behavior.
Often this approach may incorporate techniques such as role playing and journaling in order to help the client get some insight into their thoughts.
DBT: Dialectical Behaviour Therapy
DBT is an approach that supports clients who have struggled learning self management skills through other methods. It has evolved into a process in which the therapist and client work to ultimately balance and incorporate acceptance and change-oriented strategies.
This approach is designed to help people increase their emotional and cognitive regulation by learning about the triggers that lead to reactive states and helping to assess which coping skills to apply in the sequence of events, thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to help avoid undesired reactions.
EMDR: Eye Movement DESENSITISATION and Reorganisation
The theory behind EMDR is that traumatic or difficult memories make changes in the brain. These changes stop the mind processing information properly and may cause issues such such as anxiety, depression, intrusive thoughts & memories, PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). and Complex Trauma/C-PTSD.
Experts believe that processing thoughts, feelings, emotions, and/or memories in a safe and measured environment, while performing rapid eye movements, helps a person begin to tolerate and co-exist more peacefully with disquieting feelings and physical sensations. EMDR can help “rewire” the way people experience their problems reducing their impact, freeing the person to heal and experience a more full life.
Initially used for people experiencing traumatic memories/PTSD and CPTSD. It’s use now is extended to support people experiencing phobias, anxiety, chronic pain, depression and more.
SFBT: Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
Unlike traditional forms of therapy that take time to analyze problems, pathology and past life events, SFBT concentrates on finding solutions in the present time and exploring one’s hope for the future to find quicker resolution of one’s problems.
This method takes the approach that you know what you need to do to improve your own life and, with the appropriate coaching and questioning, are capable of finding the best solutions.
Trauma INFORMED Therapy: 3 STAGE Approach
PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). and complex trauma (C-PTSD) may come about from a single traumatic experience, multiple or prolonged exposures. A person may experience trauma through: Neglect, bullying or medical issues; Abuse of a sexual, physical, emotional or vicarious nature; Disaster that is natural, man-made or technological; War or terrorism.
A 3 staged approach to trauma therapy is the undertaking of a variety therapeutic approaches, used together to help support a person experiencing aftereffects of PTSD or CPTSD.
Stage 1 focuses on engaging and resourcing the person with skills to provide safety and stability. Stage 2 focuses on applying previously learned coping skills whilst working through the traumatic memories. Finally Stage 3 would consist of solidifying what has previously been learned, so they may use these strategies to to enhance their personal and relational well-being.
IDT: Integrated Drawing Therapy
IDT is a creative process of disclosure and discovery that allows the client to express themselves through drawing. It is especially helpful if they struggle or can’t articulate their thoughts and feelings.
With the guidance of their therapist, clients can "decode" the nonverbal messages, symbols, and metaphors often found in these art forms, which should lead to a better understanding of their feelings and behavior so they can move on to resolve deeper issues.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is developing an ability to take a step back and notice what the mind is thinking and the body is feeling as though the client were watching them, rather than being mindlessly involved in them.
Learning to do this, allows the client to decide how they wish to experience these processes and change if they choose.
Meditation is one action of many that enables a client to develop the skill mindfulness.
Genogram
A genogram is a visual relationship mapping tool. They allow therapists and clients to diagram a client’s relationships. Traditionally, a genogram maps out up to three generations of family connections, but can also include awider current and past, romantic and social relationships.
Like family tree’s, a genogram documents history, but goes beyond to capture in-depth details about relational functioning and processes.
It is a useful assessment tool to foster a clients’ understanding of historical patterns that might impact current issues, behaviors, relationships, and functioning.
Narrative TherapY
Narrative therapy views people as separate from their problems. This allows clients to get some distance from the issue to see how it might actually be helping them, or protecting them, more than it is hurting them. With this new perspective, individuals feel more empowered to make changes in their thought patterns and behavior and “rewrite” their life story for a future that reflects who they are, what they are capable of, and what their purpose is, separate from their problems.
Eclectic (Multi-Modal or Integrative) Counselling
As its name indicates, eclectic therapy is a therapeutic approach that incorporates a variety of therapeutic principles (tools) and philosophies, such as discussed prior, in order to create the ideal treatment program to meet the specific needs of the patient or client.
Instead of insisting upon strict adherence to one particular approach or school of thought, eclectic therapists employ elements from a range of therapeutic techniques, with the goal of establishing a course that is personally tailored to the patient or client.
Person Centred Therapy
Person-centered therapy uses a non-authoritative approach that allows clients to take more of a lead in discussions so that, in the process, they will discover their own solutions. The therapist acts as a compassionate facilitator, listening without judgment and acknowledging the client’s experience without moving the conversation in another direction. The therapist is there to encourage and support the client and to guide the therapeutic process without interrupting or interfering with the client’s process of self-discovery.
Psychotherapy
The aim of psychotherapy is to bring unconscious or deeply buried thoughts and feelings to the conscious mind so that experiences and emotions, often forgotten about, can be brought to the surface and examined. Working together, the therapist and client look at how these forgotten memories affect the client’s thinking, behavior, and relationships.