Schema Therapy
Dr Jeffrey Young developed Schema therapy. The therapy combines theory and techniques from CBT, Attachment theory, and Gestalt therapy. It is an integrative and relational type of therapy developed to help people address unhelpful life patterns. Schema therapy places a strong emphasis on emotions as well as thoughts. Firstly, Schema therapy helps a person to understand the childhood origins of these life patterns. Then, secondly, you develop insight into how these are played out again and again throughout your life in unhelpful ways.
During therapy, you will work to identify which needs were not met in childhood and learn ways to now meet those needs in healthier and more satisfying ways. Schema therapy has been found to be helpful for people who have perhaps not benefitted from other therapies such as CBT in the past. For more information about Schema Therapy, please visit the International Society of Schema Therapy (ISST) Website.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a NICE recommended therapy for anxiety and depression. It is normally time-limited and has a strong focus on the ‘here and now’. CBT is based on the idea that our thoughts, emotions and behaviours are linked, with one influencing the others. For example, if you thought differently about a situation, you would react and feel differently.
CBT is based on a collaborative approach between you and your therapist. The therapist gradually teaches you the tools to be able to challenge unhelpful thoughts. This allows you to then react in more healthy and balanced ways. CBT sessions are structured and work between sessions is strongly encouraged to help you achieve positive change.
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy
Francine Shapiro developed EMDR in the 1980s and it is considered a revolutionary therapy. EMDR is recommended by the NICE guidelines as a treatment of choice for trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
EMDR therapy involves the left and right side of the brain being alternately stimulated. This can be done through eye-movements (guided by the therapist). Using sounds and tapping can be alternatives to eye-movements. The eye-movements are not dissimilar from REM sleep although you remain awake for EMDR therapy. It is thought that this allows the brain to unlock the traumatic memories that have become trapped in the brain. These blocked memories are unable to be processed along with the rest of your non-traumatic memories. Using EMDR can help the brain to unlock its natural processes and make the memories less distressing.
EMDR is also increasingly being used to help people with depression, anxiety, OCD and many other difficulties.