Individual Counselling

At Your Mind Matters Psychology Services, our team of clinicians (including Psychologists, an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker, and a Counsellor) are skilled in a range of therapeutic interventions.  This ensures that each client can access different modes of therapy, as one may be more effective than others depending on your circumstances, age/development, goals, and personality.

Psychological counselling, or therapy, is so much more than simply "talking". Not only are we constantly formulating in the background, trying to help make sense of your world and create a plan to help move you towards you goal, but we will also incorporate a range of various therapeutic modalities.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a highly effective, evidence-based psychotherapeutic approach designed to treat and manage a wide range of psychological disorders, including depression, anxiety, phobias, stress, and certain personality disorders. Developed by Dr. Aaron T. Beck in the 1960s, CBT is grounded in the concept that an individual's thoughts, feelings, and behaviours are interconnected, and that negative thought patterns and beliefs can lead to emotional distress and problematic behaviours.

CBT is characterised by its short-term, goal-oriented nature, focusing on teaching clients practical skills to identify, challenge, and modify distorted cognitions and maladaptive behaviors. Through a structured framework, therapists work collaboratively with clients to develop coping strategies and problem-solving techniques that address current problems. Sessions involve homework assignments, such as thought records and behavioral experiments, to practice these skills in real-life situations.

The adaptability of CBT across different formats (individual, group, online) and its empirical support across various populations and settings highlight its effectiveness. CBT's emphasis on skill acquisition and its application to daily challenges equip clients with lifelong tools for managing psychological distress, making it a cornerstone of contemporary psychological treatment paradigms.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a dynamic, evidence-based form of psychotherapy that encourages individuals to embrace their thoughts and feelings rather than fighting or feeling guilty for them. Developed within the context of relational frame theory, ACT posits that psychological suffering is often due to the attempt to control internal experiences, leading to a paradoxical increase in distress. Instead, ACT teaches mindfulness strategies to help individuals accept these experiences, commit to living according to their values, and take action towards leading a meaningful life. Through this process, ACT aims to increase psychological flexibility—the ability to contact the present moment more fully as a conscious human being, and to change or persist in behaviour when it serves valued ends. This therapeutic approach is versatile, having been applied effectively across a wide range of clinical conditions, including anxiety, depression, stress, and chronic pain. ACT's unique emphasis on acceptance, mindfulness, commitment, and behavioural change strategies offers a compassionate and empowering pathway for individuals seeking to overcome their struggles and lead a values-driven life.

Core processes of ACT include:

• Contacting The Present Moment – consciously connecting with whatever is happening right here, right now.
• Defusion – learning to step back or detach from unhelpful thoughts and worries and memories
• Acceptance – opening up and making room for painful feelings and sensations instead of struggling with them.
• The Observing Self is the part of you that is responsible for awareness and attention.
• Values – what you want your life to be about, deep in your heart. What you want to stand for. What ultimately matters to you.
• Committed action – taking action guided by your values – doing what matters – even if it’s difficult or uncomfortable

Rooted in cognitive behavioural therapy, yet extending its reach to integrate elements of attachment theory, psychodynamic concepts, and emotion-focused techniques, Schema Therapy offers a comprehensive framework for understanding and healing longstanding psychological issues. It's particularly effective for individuals grappling with longer-term difficulties, personality disorders, chronic depression, relationship problems, and other complex challenges that haven't fully responded to traditional therapies.

In a nutshell, Schema Therapy involves identifying and addressing deep-rooted patterns or schemas—broad, pervasive themes that develop in childhood and continue to affect an individual's feelings, thoughts, and behaviours throughout life. It integrates techniques from cognitive-behavioral therapy, emotion-focused therapy, and other therapeutic methods to help individuals understand their schemas, how they were formed, and how they lead to maladaptive coping mechanisms. Therapy sessions focus on emotional healing and cognitive restructuring, using strategies like experiential exercises, dialogues with parts of the self, and behavioural pattern breaking. The ultimate goal is to replace negative, self-defeating patterns with healthier thoughts and behaviours, fostering greater well-being and more satisfying relationships.

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) is a therapeutic approach that emphasizes empowering individuals to find solutions in their present and future, rather than digging into the problematic past. Developed in the 1980s by Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg, SFBT is grounded in the belief that clients have the inherent strengths and resources to resolve their challenges. The focus is on what clients want to achieve through therapy, rather than on the problems that made them seek help.

SFBT is highly collaborative and personalised, with therapists working alongside clients to highlight their abilities, resources, and past successes to foster a sense of hope and confidence in their ability to create change. This approach is versatile and has been applied successfully across a wide range of settings and client issues, including in therapy, schools, and social work. Its brief nature typically results in shorter therapy durations compared to traditional models, making it a cost-effective and time-efficient option for addressing specific goals and outcomes.

Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) is a focused, evidence-based approach designed to treat mood dysregulation, with a particular emphasis on depression. Originating in the 1970s by Gerald Klerman and Myrna Weissman, IPT is grounded in the understanding that personal relationships and life events play a significant role in the development and resolution of psychological distress. The primary goal of IPT is to improve the quality of a person's interpersonal relationships and social functioning to help reduce their symptoms of depression.

IPT is structured around addressing one or more of four key interpersonal problem areas believed to contribute to psychological distress: unresolved grief, role disputes, role transitions, and interpersonal deficits. Through a collaborative therapeutic relationship, IPT helps individuals explore their emotions and interpersonal experiences, learn healthy communication skills, and employ strategies to solve interpersonal problems.

Recognised for its effectiveness and adaptability, IPT has been successfully applied across diverse populations and settings, including adolescents, the elderly, and postpartum women, and has been adapted to treat other difficulties such as eating disorders and dysthymia. Its focus on present-day relationships and practical problem-solving strategies makes IPT a valuable and accessible treatment option for those looking to improve their mental health through enhanced interpersonal connections.