How it works
A look at some of the principles models and technics I use.
So what is your approach to therapy?
I’ve been asked this question many times and I always struggle to answer it in a few words. You see, therapy is more than a theory, technique or collection of tools.
It’s true the right technique for the right person at the right time can be like magic, but no technique works for everyone, all of the time.
In my view, therapy is more like an art form (hence the name Art of Change Therapy :-)). It is more about our interaction and finding what will work for you as an individual. Together we build tools that you can use in your life, we create techniques that are specific to you.
Having said that, there are principles I follow, such as the basic human needs, which help us to move forward. I have theoretical knowledge, like what depression really is and how to assist people to step out of it. And there are a variety of techniques that I use (for the right person at the right time).
Below is a short explanation of some of those principles and how they work.
Brief Therapy
Brief psychotherapy is different from traditional ‘old-school’ therapy, Rather than the formal analysis of historical causes of distress results in talking in circles session after session.
The primary approach of brief therapy is to help the client to view the present from a wider context and to utilize more functional understandings (not necessarily at a conscious level).
We skip theories and ideologies full of complex definitions and jargon. We begin to align therapy for your personal needs, for a much shorter and more effective therapy.
We focus on specific measurable goals
- Find out what already works well in your life and maximise it
- Use therapeutic tasks to put ideas into action
- Take a new, fresh perspective with humour and storytelling
Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy
Solution-focused hypnotherapy as an extension of brief therapy is all about evoking your natural strengths and resources as a human being and then connecting these resources to the times in your life when you need them.
Hypnosis is an umbrella name for the natural way we integrate information on the instinctive (unconscious) part f the brain. (learning) it is always involved a narrow focus of attention.
it naturally occurs during the day like in daydreaming or when we are absorbed in a movie, book, or engaging activity. Another way to get into this state is when we are shocked surprised or confused. At those times we are engaged in the REM state (rapid eye movement) that is associated with dreaming but happen with our eye opened as well.
There are many techniques that are not called hypnosis but use the same principles.
In a session, you will be guided into a calm and relaxed state of mind, using the dreamy part of the brain.
In this state, it is possible to:
- Update instinctive responses
- Access unconscious resources
- Connect these positive resources to the situations in your life when you need them most
- Change habits
- Rehearse new behaviours
After a session, most people find that they feel relaxed and change happens almost immediately, in the most natural way.
CBT (Cognitive behavioural therapy)
CBT focuses on challenging and changing thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes and their associated behaviours to improve emotional regulation and develop personal coping strategies that target solving current problems.
CBT was found to be effective in treating a range of problems including depression, anxiety disorders, and alcohol and drug use.
Large studies showed that cognitive behavioural therapy is a whopping 70% more effective when used in combination with hypnosis than when used alone.
Systemic Therapy
Systemic therapy is a form of psychotherapy that looks not only at the individual thought and feelings, but on the interaction. relationships and connections between people within the system.
NLP (Neuro-linguistic programming)
NLP is the practice of understanding how people organise their thinking, feeling, language and behaviour to produce the results they do. it combines theories, models and techniques from a range of scientific and esoteric fields, to create ‘tools’ which can be used to by anyone to create change in their life.
EFT (Emotional freedom techniques)
EFT is a technique that involves tapping on a series of acupuncture meridian points on the face and body to achieve relief from emotional or physical problems. In combination with other approaches like NLP or Solution-focused therapy become a very effective way to create positive change in your life.
How It All Fits Together
Thanks to recent international research about how the brain works and deeper biological and evolutionary understanding, we now have more real knowledge than ever in our hands. We should use all this knowledge and bring it into the therapy setting, fitting this knowledge to the person, and not the other way around. After all, therapy is just a means to an end. The changes need to happen in your life. Once the goal(s) have been achieved, the therapy ends.
Bringing together age-old wisdom with cutting-edge knowledge of neuroscience and the latest psychology research creates a very effective and unique counselling therapy.
What happens in a session?
Each session is different and tailored to meet your current needs.
- We always begin by agreeing on clear, measurable goals, for what you’d like to achieve as a result of the work we do.
- Together we will explore your strengths and abilities, using different approaches and technics we’ll clear away old imprints, obstacles, patterns and traumas. Open up possibilities and find what positive changes you can make in your thought patterns, emotional reactions and your behaviours.
- You will be then guided into a relaxed, yet focused state of mind (hypnotic trance) where you will be able to vividly experience thinking, feeling and acting in a more positive way in your life. creating new pathways in your brain so the change will be embodied naturally.