List of Therapies

Person-Centred Therapy
Focuses on the client and their wellbeing, with regard and respect to the same. Providing a safe space where they can share their thoughts and feelings. Showing empathy for the client and not presuming to offer advice or solutions, being genuine and present.

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
In brief, CBT focuses on thought processes, the impact on feelings, and consequently, behaviour. It is often used for clients who are suffering from depression or anxiety but is also used in a broader scope and range of issues. It adds a touch of reality to a situation by examining closely belief systems that impact clients’ thoughts, feelings, and behaviour - and challenging the same.

ABC Model of Therapy
This is a framework that is used in CBT (above).

It has three components:
(A) Activating Event,
(B) Beliefs,
(C) Consequences.

Clients learn to identify, challenge, and modify negative thought patterns and behaviours that contribute to emotional distress. They learn to identify triggering events and adopt healthy tools and resources to manage and overcome triggers.

Gestalt Therapy (GT)
There are aspects of GT that can be very useful in counselling, depending on the client’s needs, and whether aspects of this therapy can assist them. Some of which are, “role-playing”, a client gets to act out different roles or aspects of their personality to gain insight. Empty chair technique, a client may address a specific person, emotion, or part of themselves in an empty chair. It can often release a lot of emotion, allowing the client to say what they have been wanting to say for a very long time, bringing it into the present moment – in a safe and supportive environment. Briefing and debriefing is vital.

Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT)
Another framework of CBT – identifying and changing negative thought patterns and replacing them with healthier, more realistic beliefs. This is not a passive therapy, it requires an active role on the client’s part to address, challenge, and dispute unhealthy, self-defeating thought patterns. Replacing negative thought patterns. Promoting better outcomes.

Narrative Therapy – Story Telling
Assisting the client to tell their story as they know it, as they see it, and as they understand it. Identifying various aspects of their story where there has been a breakdown, challenging false beliefs, behaviours, and outcomes. The client is able to get a bigger, clearer picture of their life story – and be empowered to change the narrative. Therein lies the power to take control of one’s life. Create their own story, chapters, prologues, epilogues – reshape it how they want it to be.

Art and Drawing Therapy (ADT)
Sometimes clients want to draw what they see, how they are feeling, and often not fully understanding what is in front of them – but with guidance from me, and exploration of the same – clients can recognise and identify feelings about a situation, person, or event – that can help them deal with current, or underlying issues. It is a unique way of expressing their emotions. You don't need to be an artist!

Writing Therapy (WT)
Writing is a creative form of expressing oneself. Some people are better at expressing themselves on paper, or at a computer! It helps them to articulate what is on their mind, and how they are feeling. The counsellor can explore their written work with them, identifying issues that may arise – bringing them into the open, and working with them. Journalling is a very useful and powerful tool in writing.

Effective Speaking & Listening (ESL)
The ability to listen actively to another person, not only hearing the words they say but also understanding what is beneath – and assisting the client to get to the bottom of it. Speaking with clarity and confidence and assisting the client to do the same. Active listening, active hearing, and effective speaking is what will impact a client and assist them in telling their story. It can even help them gain confidence for public speaking opportunities!

Communication Skills-Assertiveness (CSA)
Assisting the client with clear communication to tell their story, to express themselves better on a personal, professional, and interactive level. It deals with problem ownership, clear-cut boundaries for self and others. It also enhances a client’s interactions and relationships with self, and others. To assist a client to gain clarity and meaning in their relationships. Clients learn to change their pronouns, "I" vs. "You", empowering self-responsibility vs. blaming someone else.

Summary:
There are countless therapies that can be used in counselling, aspects of the same that can prove beneficial to the client, and the counselling process. There are a lot of therapies, tools, and resources that can be acquired and used in the counselling process. I prefer to see them as tools, and resources that can come into play to support the client in the counselling process.

Authentically You + Authentically Me
=
Knowing, Seeing, and Speaking Our Truth!