How do different psychotherapeutic approaches differ?

My approach is integrative. This means that I draw from the knowledge that different schools of therapy contribute to our understanding of the formation and structure of the self, and how it operates. In a nutshell...

Developmental psychology

Is concerned with studying the many factors, individual and environmental, that influence the development of our Central Nervous System, beginning in utero into childhood and adolescence. Different fields of study separate between the functional processes such as perception, attention, memory, language, emotional regulation, while other fields are concerned with neuro-biology and genetics . Our developmental trajectory is divided between typical development such as emotional, social, cognitive, sexual and identity formation, as well as atypical developmental pathways into Autism, ADHD, Au-DHD, learning difficulties, certain communication difficulties and the neurobiological legacy of developmental trauma.

Rogerian, humanistic, also called client centred therapy

Considers the client-therapist relationship as central to the healing process. The relationship is built on the principles of unconditional positive regard, congruence and empathy, to allow clients' to develop greater agency.

Psychodynamic therapy

explores early life relationships and how they influence the maturation of our attachment system and the way we relate to others and how we see the world.

Cognitive behavioural therapy

Assumes there are four levels of experience: body sensation, emotion, cognition and behaviour. All affect each other. Focusing on one level can promote overall change. For example increasing physical activity increases serotonin release, which is associated to a more positive mood state, in turn influencing thoughts.

Systemic therapy

Assumes that individuals are members of a different social systems: a family system, a community system, a national system, cultural system and so on. These systems evolve across time, and the individuals adapt and transition through different stages of life. When stress and pressures affect the system, this may be experiences and expressed at the individual's level.

Compassion and mindfulness based therapy

advocate for a shift in attitude, based on the understanding that suffering is part of life. In order to decrease suffering, they teach us to become witness, according the principles of non-resistance to what is, paying mindful attention to here and now, with non-judgemental openness, compassion, letting go of expectations, flexibility and least effort. Grounding ourselves in the moment and developing our sense of observation can help regulate emotional states, and develop self-awareness of our automatic responses.

Gestalt therapy

also focuses on experience here and now, to develop greater awareness of sensations and emotions felt in the body. The therapeutic relationship is central to exploring different aspects of the individual’s self, encouraging awareness and integration of aspects of self that have been split or disowned.

Jungian psychology

is essentially positive, assuming that we strive for growth and that psychological difficulty is an opportunity for learning. Jungian psychology accounts for the collective evolutionary dimension of our self. Our personality is organised according to traits, each measured along a continuum of opposites, for example introversion and extraversion. Individuation involves the re-integration of opposite aspects of our self and those relegated into our shadow.

Solution focused therapy

involves identifying the desired future outcome from therapy, and steps to move towards it. The focus is on the future rather than the explaining the past.