Frequently asked questions

Integrative therapy is essentially the combining of different approaches to meet a client’s individual needs. Here at Talking Treatment, we specialise in providing a combination of:

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) - Concentrating on how unexamined thought processes – assumptions, expectations, beliefs etc. – affect emotions, which in turn affect physiological processes and behaviour. CBT attempts to challenge and alter the negative thinking bias, thus promoting more positive psychological feelings and physical wellbeing.

Schema Therapy - Schema therapy is an extension of CBT. Some problems are deeply embedded and derive from distorted patterns and habits of thought (maladaptive schema) formed in early life. These ‘schema’ make certain individuals highly vulnerable to emotional disorders.

Psychodynamic and Psychoanalytic Therapy - Based on the talking treatment devised by Sigmund Freud, the relationship between the patient and the therapist is contrived to replicate past relationships that may have caused trauma too distressing for the conscious mind to take on board. Powerful defence processes can hide such experiences in the unconscious mind. The therapeutic relationship is a way of bringing to the surface, and resolving emotional problems that disable the "patient".

Person Centred/Humanistic Therapy - Humanistic therapies encourage the patient to focus on their current subjective understanding rather than unconscious motives. It places great importance on the premise that given the right conditions, a client can reach their full potential and become their true self, a term known as ‘self actualisation’.

Existential/Phenomenological Therapy - Existential/Phenomenological therapy assumes that internal conflict occurs as we struggle with the four 'givens' or undeniable truths about life. These are death, freedom, isolation, and meaninglessness. This therapy focuses on confronting and eventually accepting these givens as part of life. It adopts an optimistic view of human potential whilst acknowledging human limitations.

Here’s a quick ‘who’s who’ overview of mental health professionals:

Psychiatrists - Assess, diagnose and treat mental health problems within the "medical model" of treatment. They train first in medical school to be medical doctors, then specialise in mental illness. They can prescribe psychotropic medicines and have legal power to "section" patients (enforced hospitalisation and medication).

Psychologists - Conduct research and develop methods of evidence based treatments. Psychology is the first degree before postgraduate training in one of the specialisms - counselling, clinical, occupational, health, educational, or forensic.

Counsellors - Counselling has its roots in non-medical pastoral care for traumatised service personnel. It aims to use a reparative relationship (the counsellor and client) to understand and help the client work through their "issues". Counselling skills address crisis and trauma work, as well as providing treatment for addictions, eating disorders, sexual problems, relationship difficulties, work stress, and bereavement.

Psychotherapists - Like counsellors, psychotherapists can read degrees other than psychology, before embarking on their training. They tend to have a particular interest in psychodynamic and psychoanalytical approaches to mental health for individuals who have very entrenched mental health problems.

Shrink – A slang term for all of the above...a "problem shrinker"

Therapy sessions tend to take place weekly (though not always) and typically last 50 minutes. We are not time limited and can work both short-term and long-term, dependent on your needs. Our initial session is essentially an assessment to ensure you feel the therapist you are working with is the right fit for you and someone you feel comfortable with.