Individual Counselling

Most psychologists spend their time working individually with adults. At Your Mind Matters Psychology Services, our psychologists 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, goals and personality.

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is a relatively short term, focused approach to the treatment of many types of emotional, behavioural and psychiatric problems. As its name suggests, CBT involves both ‘cognitive therapy’ and ‘behaviour therapy’, whereby the cognitive therapy focuses on an individual’s pattern of thinking, and behaviour therapy looks at associated actions. CBT has been practised widely for more than 30 years and is considered “the gold standard” in treating various mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, eating disorders, somatic disorders, phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) aims to maximise human potential for a rich, full and meaningful life by accepting what is out of your personal control, and committing to action that improves and enriches your 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

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) is future-focused, goal-directed, and focuses on solutions, rather than on the problems that brought clients to seek therapy. Described as a practical, goal-driven model, a hallmark of SFBT is its emphasis on clear, concise, realistic goal negotiations.

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) combines the ideas of cognitive therapy with meditative practices and attitudes based on the cultivation of mindfulness.  This style of therapy helps clients become more aware of, and relate differently to, thoughts, feelings and bodily sensations. MBCT teaches skills that allow individuals to disengage from habitual (“automatic”) dysfunctional cognitive routines, in particular, depression-related ruminative thought patterns, as a way to reduce future risk of relapse and recurrence of depression. MBCT is also helpful in treating anxiety and chronic pain.

Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) is designed to help manage interpersonal difficulties.  It can help with improving communication between couples and families, and can also help improve your social well-being. IPT works by putting the focus on unresolved grief, role conflicts, role transitions and social isolation.