Counselling Approaches & Therapies

During your journey with me, we may explore one or more of the following therapeutic approaches:

 

Person-Centred Therapy

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy

 

The selection will depend on what we are working on together, and you—the client—are always in control.

Person-Centred Therapy

The person-centred approach, developed by Carl Rogers, is based on core philosophical beliefs:

  • Humanism – Every individual has the potential for growth and development.
  • Existentialism – We all possess free will and make choices based on personal beliefs and life experiences.
  • Phenomenology – There is no singular reality; instead, each person's experience shapes their understanding of the world. Two individuals may go through the same event yet interpret it completely differently.

 

Person-centred therapy is non-directive, meaning the counsellor does not set the focus, goals, or direction of therapy. Instead, the client’s emerging experience in the moment drives the work, fostering self-awareness, growth, and transformation.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

CBT explores the relationship between thoughts, behaviours, and emotions, helping individuals identify patterns that may be negatively impacting their well-being.

 

This approach is based on the principle that maladaptive thinking patterns lead to maladaptive behaviours, which in turn create dysfunction and distress in daily life.

 

Clients are guided through techniques to challenge unhelpful thoughts, reshape expectations, and adopt healthier coping strategies. CBT is often time-limited, action-oriented, and encourages active participation in restructuring thought patterns to create meaningful change.

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)

SFBT shifts the focus away from past difficulties, emphasising strengths and solutions instead. It encourages individuals to recognise their existing capabilities and harness them to move forward in a positive direction.

 

Core elements of SFBT include:

  1. Describing a preferred future – Clients articulate what life would look like if their challenges were resolved.
  2. Recognising past successes – Clients identify moments where they have successfully navigated challenges and explore the skills and resources that contributed to those outcomes.

 

The counsellor then collaborates with the client to build upon these strengths and apply them toward achieving their desired future.

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)

ACT helps individuals change their relationship with difficult thoughts and emotions rather than trying to eliminate them.

 

Its core philosophy is: “Accept what is out of your personal control and commit to actions that improve your life.”

 

The goal of ACT is to empower clients to create a rich, full, and meaningful life while effectively handling stress and adversity.

 

ACT practitioners guide clients in approaching challenging thoughts with mindfulness, openness, and flexibility—preventing distressing emotions from becoming overwhelming or controlling their actions.

 

A combination of acceptance, mindfulness-based strategies, and cognitive behavioural techniques is used to support this process.

Mental Health Care Management Strategies

 

In addition to the above therapeutic approaches, I utilise a range of mental health care strategies, including:

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) techniques
    • Behavioural interventions
    • Behaviour modification
    • Exposure techniques
    • Activity scheduling
    • Cognitive interventions
  • Relaxation & psycho-education strategies
    • Progressive muscle relaxation
    • Controlled breathing
    • Motivational interviewing
    • Problem-solving skills training
  • Emotional regulation & interpersonal skills training
    • Anger management techniques
    • Social skills development