Person centred therapy, also known as humanistic therapy, is a ‘non-directive’ form of counselling. A humanistic therapist aims to create a safe, secure and empathic relationship within which a client can safely explore any topics they wish to bring to therapy.

Psychodynamic psychotherapy has its roots in psychoanalysis. Psychodynamic psychotherapy works on the premise that in understanding something from the past, and its influence upon the present, the path towards change becomes clearer. The therapist aims to build an accepting and trusting relationship, encouraging the client to talk about their past, childhood relationships with parents and/or other significant people and experiences. 

This type of therapy is highly effective with certain issues including relationship issues, both personal and work related, work-life balance, phobias, abuse, anxiety, addiction, eating disorders, depression. It can also be particularly beneficial for clients who may feel that they have lost the meaning in their lives.

Integrative therapy works with the client as a whole being, including their mind, body, and spirit, as well as emotions, thoughts, and behaviours. Integrative therapists often take the view that there is no one therapy that can treat people in all situations and so will draw on different therapeutic approaches, such as psychodynamic, humanistic and CBT to suit the needs of the client. 

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Integrative therapy is proven to be helpful for a range of problems and issues, including low self-esteem, anxiety and depression, trauma, bereavement, addiction, and phobias to name but a few.

CBT (cognitive behaviour therapy) focuses on a person’s present experience. It is often of a shorter duration than other therapies, and has more of a problem-solving orientation.

CBT aims to help clients find a healthier way to respond to inaccurate or unhelpful ideas, identifying distorted thinking. Cognitive behaviour therapists develop an “action plan” or homework for clients (to do during the week) to aid them to implement solutions to problems or to make changes in their thinking and actions.

CBT is helpful for various psychological/mental health issues, such as anxiety, stress, depression, phobias, panic attacks, anger issues, addiction, PTSD, OCD, sleep issues, CFS, pain, to name but a few. 

This type of therapy works through rapid eye movement. The client receives instruction to move their eyes in particular directions while under the guidance of the therapist.

The therapist uses lights, moving objects or even sound to make the client move their eyes in particular directions. While the client is moving their eyes, they are encouraged to focus on their trauma. This combination of eye movement and focus helps the client’s brain to react differently when thinking about the traumatic situation. Ultimately, this allows the brain to change the way it responds to thoughts and memories when they resurface in the future.

The client is not necessarily required to discuss their issues in deep detail for this therapy to work well.
This type of treatment works well for complex PTSD, PTSD, trauma, painful and difficult memories, anger, anxiety, depression, and phobias.

Play therapy is often used with children who are experiencing emotional difficulties. As children communicate through their play rather than words, particularly younger children, the therapist creates a safe space where the child can play almost completely freely. The child leads the play while the therapist facilitates and observes the child’s behaviours. The therapist also observes how the child interacts with them with the specifically chosen toys. Play allows the child to express their emotions and thoughts which they may otherwise not be able to verbalise.

This type of therapy can benefit the child in a range of ways, including healing from trauma, learning new ways to behave and think, developing stronger social skills, improving communication skills and self-expression, and managing their emotions.

This type of therapy works through rapid eye movement. The client receives instruction to move their eyes in particular directions while under the guidance of the therapist.

The therapist uses lights, moving objects or even sound to make the client move their eyes in particular directions. While the client is moving their eyes, they are encouraged to focus on their trauma. This combination of eye movement and focus helps the client’s brain to react differently when thinking about the traumatic situation. Ultimately, this allows the brain to change the way it responds to thoughts and memories when they resurface in the future.

The client is not necessarily required to discuss their issues in deep detail for this therapy to work well.

This type of treatment works well for complex PTSD, PTSD, trauma, painful and difficult memories, anger, anxiety, depression, and phobias.

Couples therapy is a collaborative process, with the therapist actively engaging with both individuals to uncover the underlying issues that have led to discord. Through a combination of observational insights and therapeutic techniques, the therapist helps the couple identify negative communication patterns, unresolved conflicts, and unmet needs that may be contributing to their difficulties.

One of the therapist’s key roles is to teach effective communication strategies. By introducing concepts such as active listening and empathetic response, they encourage partners to interact in ways that foster understanding rather than defensiveness. This relearning process is crucial for breaking down barriers and rebuilding trust.

Moreover, therapists assist couples in navigating emotional responses, guiding them towards expressing their feelings in constructive ways. This emotional coaching can be particularly beneficial for partners who struggle with vulnerability, helping them to share their fears and desires without resorting to blame or withdrawal.

What to Expect During Therapy 

Engaging in couples therapy is a commitment to growth and healing. It requires both partners to participate actively and honestly, which can be challenging but is ultimately rewarding. Sessions may delve into sensitive topics, but the therapist’s skill in managing difficult conversations ensures that these discussions promote healing rather than harm.

Progress in therapy is measured by the couple’s ability to implement new communication skills, the deepening of emotional intimacy, and the resolution of specific conflicts. While the path may involve confronting uncomfortable truths, the therapist’s support and guidance make this journey feasible and less daunting.

The transformative power of couples therapy extends beyond immediate conflict resolution. It lays the groundwork for a more resilient relationship, equipped with the tools to handle future challenges. Couples often emerge with a stronger sense of partnership, a deeper understanding of each other’s needs and perspectives, and a renewed commitment to their shared life.

How does hypnotherapy work? 

Hypnotherapy uses hypnosis for therapeutic purposes. During a hypnotherapy session, clients are guided through a process (called induction) to induce a state of highly focused attention that facilitates change. This altered state of mind helps to focus clients’ minds and respond more readily to suggestions given by the therapist. Every suggestion used in a session is designed to assist clients in achieving their therapeutic goals. When the hypnotherapeutic process is complete, the practitioner will wake you up and bring you back to full consciousness.

Hypnotherapy and neuroplasticity

Hypnotherapy helps you access your subconscious mind and focus on what you want to create. With repeated and directed attention towards your desired change, you can create new neural pathways and rewire your brain so that you learn to think and act differently. This phenomenon is called neuroplasticity and has been extensively researched.  Hypnotherapists assist their clients in using this remarkable ability of the brain to change. By retraining their brains, clients can eliminate unhelpful beliefs and create new, helpful ones to gain fast and long-lasting results in many areas of their lives including career, mental health, physical health, self-esteem, relationships and more.

What conditions can hypnotherapy help with?

Hypnotherapy can help with many different challenges and conditions. These include, but are not limited to: anxiety, stress, PTSD, childhood trauma, low self-esteem, depression, phobias, sleep difficulties and a lack of meaning/purpose in life. By reprogramming your mind, hypnotherapy can bring about the wellbeing you desire and deserve. 

The 4 key myths about hypnotherapy. 

#1 Hypnotists can control people’s minds.

Each client is in control and power to choose or reject hypnotherapist’s suggestions. The clinician has only control or influence over the hypnotised client if the client allows them. Hypnosis is an interactive process, where nothing can happen without client’s agreement or involvement. All clients, including the most responsive ones have a capacity to follow or reject hypnotic suggestions according to their own will and at any time.

#2 You’re unconscious or asleep when hypnotised.

The hypnotic phenomenon has nothing to do with sleep. Clients may indeed look as if they were asleep (e.g. eyes closed, minimal physical movement), but from neuroscientific standpoint, they are focused and alert. Hypnosis is a process requiring mental immersion, absorption, engagement and concentration of the person being hypnotised. 

#3 Hypnosis can be dangerous to your health.

Hypnosis is neither good or bad in itself. It’s a process where via voluntarily accepting suggestions we reprogram our belief system and shape our subjective reality. Depending on the person who practises hypnosis and the nature of the suggestions, hypnosis may be used to treat or harm. Normally, the hypnotic experience should feel relaxing and absorbing at the same time, slowing down heart rate and breathing. These and other physiological changes associated with hypnotic states contribute to stress reduction and are beneficial to our well-being. 

#4 Hypnosis is simply a state of relaxation.

Physical relaxation might be used as a facilitator to inducing complex hypnotic experiences, such as age regression, but it’s not an essential element of the treatment. In therapeutic work, relaxation is usually incorporated as part of the intervention due to its calming properties that are conducive to rapport building, faster access to client’s personal resources and encourage cooperation. Moreover, majority of clients who see hypnotherapists, expect relaxation as a part of therapeutic process. 

In actual practice, most Hypnotherapists will combine hypnotic procedures with other appropriate counselling and therapeutic techniques. Should there be any doubt about the combination of skills utilised in individual cases, the therapist should be asked directly for a further explanation of their preferred methodology. (GHS)