Understanding therapy.

Learn your theories as well as you can, but put them aside when you touch the miracle of the living soul. - Carl Gustav Jung,  (1928)

The above quote epitomises the way that I work. I have an extensive understanding of theories gained over 6 years of study and am trained in a number of modalities some of which I will explain a little about here. It is not necessary for a client to understand these different approaches or how they are applied but some clients find it helpful to know a little about the training their therapist has received. My studies and training provide me with a solid base of knowledge to draw upon when reflecting upon and reviewing my progress with each client. However , when I am with my clients I work instinctively and intuitively, responding in the moment to the person I am with, their individuality and uniqueness. I find this enables me to connect with them in a more meaningful and authentic way.

The three main modalities I am trained in offer different approaches to relieving psychological distress. Psychodynamic therapy can be helpful in exploring underlying or unconscious feelings, motivations and experiences. The role of the therapist is to interpret thoughts and feelings to uncover their unconscious meaning and allow the client to be free of unconscious controls. Person centred therapy is based on the notion that all human beings have an inborn capacity to grow and achieve their full potential. Here the role of the therapist is to provide the core conditions to enable growth: empathy, congruence and unconditional positive regard In both of these modalities the therapist seeks to build a trusting bond with the client which provides a safe space to explore how the client sees themselves in the world and how they relate to others. Through the relationship between the client and therapist , by exploring how they relate to one another, we can expose the valuable qualities of the client that require nurturing to enable growth as well seeking to identify unhelpful ways of being that the client may wish to let go of.

Cognitive behavioural approaches are based on an underlying belief that everything we are is learned, we can therefore unlearn behaviours, thoughts and feelings which cause us distress. Here the role of the therapist is to provide the client with the necessary tools to do this and allow for helpful ways of thinking, feeling and behaving.