The Therapy Approach Used

In the broadest sense the goal of cafe therapy is for the client and therapist to construct together a therapy in which both will be fully engaged in a fully collaborate process. The therapeutic relationship is the most important aspect of therapy and is the hub around which all else revolves.

I employ an integrative and eclectic approach to address the person, human nature, psychological disturbance, and health it has the philosophy that the process of change can not be encapsulated by any one single approach. By integrating the approaches of Human Givens psychotherapy, person centred, cognitive behavioural and solution- focused therapy, the clients needs and the goals of therapy are best met.

A brief description of the core three integrated approaches is provided here, if you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us.

Psychological Therapy - Using the Human Givens Approach (Institute of Human Givens)

Psychotherapists generally use a variety of psychological techniques and interventions to help people with immediate problems such as bereavement or relationship breakdown/ divorce and for more longer-term problems such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders and addiction. Effective psychotherapy (as with Human Givens psychotherapy) is much more than simply talking about the clients problems (although this is of course important), it also endeavours to understand the emotional forces behind the clients presenting problem(s). This form of psychotherapy focuses on building a collaborative relationship that provides the necessary insight and skills to lift the client out of their problematic state in as few sessions as possible.

The Human Givens approach is rooted in empirical neuro-psychological research and offers a flexible combination of treatments including CBT, guided imagery and solution- focused methods. Fundamentally the therapist aims to identify unsatisfied physical and emotional needs and provide skills to help clients focus on realistic solutions. This scientifically proven technique uses a whole collection of tools that are determined by individual clients needs. Furthermore it educates each person to understand their present state and equips them with life long tools for emotional wellbeing and self-fulfillment. For further information please visit the Institute of Human Givens Psychotherapy.

Person Centered Therapy

The self concept is the essence of person centred therapy and which is explored after establishing a sound therapeutic relationship - incorporating unconditional positive regard, genuineness and empathy. This approach endeavours to understand the person in terms of their subjective experience and perceptions of their values, motives and behaviours. The person is encouraged to acknowledge both their actual self and ideal self and the disparities and conflicts between the two - reflecting on the actual self and and who you would like to be: the goals and aspirations of your life. When the actual and ideal self seem to be incongruent - sadness and negative emotions can be distorted. Essentially this approach is non-directive and allows the person to find answers for themselves.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

This therapy focuses on changing certain thought processes that are seen to be distorted and ultimately unfounded. The hub of this therapy is how we perceive experiences and consequently feel emotionally, by educating and changing these the persons behaviour also changes. People are often then able to re-conceptualise their problems so they are able to deal with them appropriately and without distress. The therapy focuses on the here and now although investigations of past events may help the person understand the basis for any unhealthy cognitions. CBT has been used widely with excellent success rates for the treatment of anxiety and depression, equipping people with the necessary skills to move forward.

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