Therapy Approaches

Psychoeducation is an important component of therapy that involves providing and explaining information to clients about what is widely known regarding the characteristics of their presenting concern and relevant treatments and strategies to treat them. It is often helpful for people to have specific details about their concerns, including the meaning of particular symptoms, as well as the known causes, consequences, implications and treatments. Psychoeducation may cover information and discussion of research on particular conditions or treatments, prognosis, and factors that may alleviate or worsen symptoms. Additionally, psychoeducation may cover discussion of early warning signs of relapse, how to actively monitor these signs, prevent flare-ups or relapse, and strategies for symptom management. By gaining understanding, people can more actively engage in therapy, be informed, use awareness, enhance their treatment experience, and manage their choices.

Psychodynamic therapy is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on exploring unconscious thoughts, emotions, and past experiences to understand and resolve present psychological difficulties. Rooted in psychoanalytic theory, it is based on the idea that past experiences, especially from childhood shape us - sometimes in ways we don’t realise and this can influence current behaviours, emotions, and interpersonal patterns. The goal of psychodynamic therapy is to increase self-awareness and insight, helping people recognise how past experiences shape their present thoughts and behaviours leading to more empowerment to make choices in life and create meaningful psychological change. Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. (1999). Brief psychodynamic therapy. In Brief interventions and brief therapies for substance abuse (Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 34). Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Australian Psychological Society. (2018). Evidence-based psychological interventions in the treatment of mental disorders: A review of the literature (4th ed.). Melbourne: APS.

Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) is a therapeutic approach designed to teach clients how to cultivate self-compassion and compassion for others, with a goal to help regulate emotions and foster feelings of safety, self-acceptance, comfort, resilience and confidence. It highlights how difficulties in receiving or offering compassion can contribute to psychological distress while also identifying potential mechanisms for therapeutic change. This approach can be used in combination with other therapies. Gilbert, P. (2010). Compassion focused therapy: Distinctive features. International Journal of Cognitive Therapy, 3(2), 97-112. https://doi.org/10.1521/ijct.2010.3.2.97

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)is a widely used form of psychotherapy based on the cognitive model, which states that our thoughts shape our emotions, which in turn, impacts behaviour. Psychologists work with clients to identify unhelpful thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. CBT is a structured and goal-oriented approach suitable for treatment of a wide range of mental health and health concerns. CBT has two aspects: behaviour therapy and cognitive therapy. Behaviour therapy is based on the theory that behaviour is learned and therefore can be changed. Examples of behavioural techniques include exposure therapy and activity scheduling. Cognitive therapy is based on the theory that our thoughts influence our emotions and behaviours. Therefore, therapeutic interventions focus on identifying and changing negative thought patterns leading to an improvement in thoughts, emotions, and behaviour. Together, these two approaches form the foundation of CBT, working in combination to help individuals develop healthier thought patterns and behaviours. By addressing both cognitive distortions and behavioural responses, CBT provides a comprehensive and evidence-based approach to managing psychological distress and improving overall well-being. Australian Psychological Society. (2018). Evidence-based psychological interventions in the treatment of mental disorders: A review of the literature (4th ed.). Melbourne: APS.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a modern, evidence-based psychological approach that helps individuals develop psychological flexibility by encouraging them to accept difficult thoughts and emotions rather than trying to eliminate them. ACT emphasises the context and function of thoughts, feelings, and sensations as the target of interventions, rather than a specific focus on particular symptoms. In ACT, the goal is to increase acceptance of a full range of experiences, including distressing thoughts, beliefs, sensations, and emotions, to foster change that enhances quality of life. During ACT therapy, people are encouraged to fully engage with their experiences with curiosity to move toward what they want in life and how they would like their life to look in line with their unique values. ACT seeks to clarify and work with personal values and translate them into specific behavioural goals. Australian Psychological Society. (2018). Evidence-based psychological interventions in the treatment of mental disorders: A review of the literature (4th ed.). Melbourne: APS.

Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) is a therapeutic approach focusing on improving emotional bonds in relationships. The approach is based in attachment theory and the idea that secure emotional connections are essential for wellbeing. While it is primarily used for couples therapy, it is also sometimes used individually or with families. EFT aims to help people recognise, understand, and manage emotional patterns by exploring and identifying negative interaction patterns. Therapy goals typically focus on developing coping strategies that encourage emotional awareness and acceptance, expression of underlying emotions and fostering of emotional responses to strengthen connection, particularly in couple interpersonal dynamics. Greenberg, L. S. (2010). Emotion-focused therapy: An overview. Turkish Psychological Counseling and Guidance Journal, 4(33), 1-12. WebMD. (n.d.). Emotion-focused therapy: What is it and how does it work? WebMD. Retrieved February 18, 2025, from https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/what-is-emotion-focused-therapy.

Schema Therapy is an integrative form of psychotherapy designed to help address long-standing emotional patterns, known as schemas, which typically develop in childhood and influence thoughts, feelings, and behaviours through to adulthood. These schemas can stem from unmet emotional needs and can lead to self-defeating life patterns, impacting relationships, self-esteem, and overall well-being. Schema therapy helps to recognise, understand, and modify these patterns through cognitive restructuring, emotional processing, and behavioural changes. Schema therapy encourages positive behavioural changes and provides corrective emotional experiences to replace unhelpful patterns with healthier coping mechanisms. Young, J. E., Klosko, J. S., & Weishaar, M. E. (2006). Schema therapy: A practitioner's guide. Guilford Press.

Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) is a psychotherapy designed to help individuals manage intense emotions and improve relationships. DBT helps individuals transform unhelpful thought patterns and behaviours while fostering self-acceptance and understanding. DBT provides essential practical tools to manage emotions, replace unhelpful coping mechanisms with healthier alternatives, and navigate daily challenges more effectively. The therapy focuses on developing four core skills to gain greater emotional stability, improve relationships and build a more fulfilling life: 1. Mindfulness to enhance self-awareness and presence in the moment 2. Distress tolerance, which helps individuals endure difficult emotions without resorting to harmful behaviours 3. Emotional regulation, which enables greater control over emotions; and 4. Interpersonal effectiveness, which strengthens communication, boundary-setting, and relationship management. Australian Psychological Society. (2018). Evidence-based psychological interventions in the treatment of mental disorders: A review of the literature (4th ed.). Melbourne: APS.

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a structured therapeutic approach designed to help people process and reduce distress associated with traumatic memories or adverse life events. The foundation of EMDR is based on the theory that the brain naturally processes experiences, however, trauma can disrupt this process, leaving distressing memories stored in a maladaptive way and becoming “stuck” in an unprocessed, emotionally intense form. During treatment, clients are encouraged to recall distressing material while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements. Over time, these memories lose their emotional intensity, allowing individuals to develop more adaptive beliefs about themselves and their experiences. EMDR helps reintegrate these memories so they reduce overwhelming emotional reactions. Exhale Psychology. (n.d.). What is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy? Exhale Psychology. Retrieved February 18, 2025, from https://www.exhalepsychology.com.au/therapy/what-is-eye-movement-desensitization-and-reprocessing-emdr-therapy#:~:text=Reprocessing%20(EMDR)%20Therapy Gilbert, P. (2010). Compassion focused therapy: Distinctive features. International Journal of Cognitive Therapy, 3(2), 97-112. https://doi.org/10.1521/ijct.2010.3.2.97