Individual - Children and Young People
Anxiety and/or depression can be very debilitating for anyone but particularly for young people. It can impact on their social relationships, studies and self-image. It can present in the form of panic attacks, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and social anxiety, as well as isolation and withdrawal.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a short term, goal-orientated therapy that offers a hands-on, practical approach to problem-solving. CBT is interested in the relationship between thoughts, feelings and behaviour and how problems can become maintained by these patterns. CBT can help to change how one thinks ('Cognitive') which will have an impact on what one does ('Behaviour') and how one feels. Often, when children are anxious or depressed, they are overwhelmed with thoughts of inadequacy and doubt. These thoughts become automatic. CBT strives to help reconsider their assumptions and helps them to see that if they change the way they view themselves and their environment, they can improve their condition. Unlike some of the other talking treatments, it focuses on the 'here and now' problems and difficulties rather than focusing on the causes of distress. I think it is this emphasis that makes it particularly appealing to adolescents and young people. Individual - Adult Taking the principles of family and systemic psychotherapy - that we are social beings and that our idenities are shaped by the stories we have about ourselves and others - we would apply them to you as an individual and explore your rich inner world to gain more insight and ultimately discover whether your patterns of behaviour are working for you in your relationships. In individual systemic psychotherapy we would be thinking about your relationship to yourself, to others and to the world around you. For many, systemic therapy provides insights into how patterns established early in life now limit the person's options. It's particularly useful for those who are repressing or denying emotions for fear of appearing selfish or hurting others.For example, if as a child you were given the label of demanding you may have felt uncomfortable asserting your needs and instead may have learned to suppress feelings. As a result, you may find it difficult in adulthood to ask for your needs to be met in a healthy way.As another example, if you were not taught how to manage your anger as a child, you may lash out at loved ones in increasingly destructive ways. Systemic therapy can help you discover the origins of your patterns of behaviour so you are able to manage your emotions and responses in a more constructive way. After an initial assessment of 90 minutes, weekly appointments of one hour duration would normally be recommended. |