The Head & Heart Approach

My approach focuses on learning at two levels; Head and Heart learning. Therapeutic approaches including Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Schema Therapy and Compassion Focused Therapy focus on both head and heart learning.

Have you ever noticed at times you may have the understanding to make the changes you wish to achieve in your life, but you continue to fall into the same patterns. Or at other times it is not until emotions and heartache catch up on you and you are acutely distressed that you realise a problem even exists!

The Head & Heart approach involves focusing on learning through psychoeducation and cognitive approaches, but also with a focus on emotional learning through experiential techniques and mindfulness.

It's not about what is wrong with you, It's about understanding what has happened in your life and how this has affected you.

Therapy as a journey

Therapy is often described as a journey towards self improvement. I greatly value the opportunity to be with you on your journey.

Together we can identify where you want to go in life and what you want to achieve with therapy. We can also identify what has got in your way up to now or is still affecting you in living the life you want to live.

We will use a combination of CBT, DBT, Schema, Mindfulness and Compassion focused approaches to identify your values and the life you want to live, creating a Mindful awareness and a different relationship with your thought and feeling, while changing unhelpful behaviours into values driven effective action. We will address any issue in an open and supportive way.

My Therapeutic Values

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You are the expert in you.

That is right you are the expert. This may seem strange but your knowledge and expertise about your experiences allows us to make sense of the problems that are concerning you. Increased understanding is often the first step to overcome difficulties and often leads to an undeniable sense of empowerment.

One size does not fit all.

Some therapists are trained in one form of therapy and this can limit the scope of their intervention. As human beings we are uniquely complex. My approach is informed by integrating multiple therapy models and theories. Using the evidence base, your formulation and preferences, I can take an integrative approach. This enables us to target your concerns with a therapy that is the best fit for you.

A secure space to talk and and be heard.

Research has demonstrated that the key factor predicting positive outcomes in therapy is the quality of the therapeutic relationship. This requires building a trusting therapeutic relationship. Confidentiality will be discussed during our first session so you are completely informed and aware of the working boundaries.

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