I am happy to say that, with many years of experience and training, I have come to treat each of my clients on a very individual basis. My training has evolved over the years and combines predominantly cognitive-behavioural, humanistic/positive, and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) approaches. Each is very briefly described below.
Cognitive behavioural therapy is a brief therapy (usually between 6 and 20 sessions). It aims to identify and modify thoughts (cognitions) and habits (behaviours) that harm the well-being of the person. Years of scientific research support the basic principles of this approach in the treatment of many disorders, including anxiety, depression, and insomnia. The client and the psychologist work actively as a team to explore and find concrete solutions to alleviate the problems.
If you would like to read more about Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, including its core principles, strategies involved in the therapeutic modification of thinking patterns, and strategies pertaining to behavioural modification, please visit this excellent summary site.
More indepth information regarding CBT can be found at this helpful Psychology Today link.
The humanist approach is a current of psychology based on a positive vision of the human being. It is also a model of psychotherapy which draws on the person's innate tendency to want to "self actualize," that is to say, to mobilize their individual forces of psychological growth and to develop their potential.
This approach is the younger cousin of Positive Psychology. Positive psychology is the study of the conditions and processes that contribute to the flourishing or optimal functioning of individuals, groups and institutions. At the individual level themes of well-being and happiness, creativity, feelings of personal effectiveness, self-esteem, humour, meaning of life, and optimism are cornerstones.
At the interpersonal level, altruism, friendship and love, cooperation, empathy, and forgiveness, are addressed.
Finally, at the social or community level, issues such as courage, activist commitment, international mediation, etc. are involved.
This Harvard Health resource provides further information, if you are interested.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can help you cultivate a rich, meaningful life by accepting what is beyond your control and committing to actions that are aligned with your values.
ACT can help you increase your psychological flexibility, allowing you to detach yourself from patterns in which you feel stuck, and therefore engage in behaviours that propel your life forward, towards a fuller existence corresponding to the person you want to be.
According to the literature, ACT therapy provides intervention along six axes: acceptance, cognitive defusion, being present, self as context, values and committed action.
Developed by Stephen Hayes in the early 1980's, this approach has come to be supported by considerable research. Clinicians/authors such as Russ Harris (e.x., "The Happiness Trap," 2022) have helped bring ACT notions to the general public.
This article provides more information on ACT.
