Which Talking Therapy is for me? (part 1)

We recently saw a great article from The Telegraph about talking therapies, explore more with our many experts #AllUnderOurRoof at BCR, but here are the highlights they mention about different therapies:

According to the BACP 20% of the population has considered accessing talking therapies recently. Over half of BACP therapists have said they had more queries for new clients than they have capacity for. (Chunn, Louise: Talking, tapping or hypnotherapy – which type of therapy is right for me? The Telegraph, 19/03/24).

Access our dedicated pages on Counselling, Psychotherapies, Psychology, CBT, EMDR, Hypnotherapy and many more, starting here.

🔶🔶🔶

Shortcuts to the Therapies Mentioned

The therapies below, were the ones the Telegraph mentioned, but our therapists offer many more, which we’ll discuss in future instalments

🔶🔶🔶

How are talking therapies carried out?

Most talking therapies take place weekly. And can be from brief, targeted approaches over a number of weeks, or longer-term for deeper issues including trauma. Sessions are usually 50 minutes, but can be longer for hypnotherapy or EMDR, or initial assessments. For many people talking therapies can be life changing, helping them understand and learn strategies to deal with challenging emotions and situations.

🔶🔶🔶

CBT

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) has gained significant traction as a preferred short-term therapeutic approach over the last two decades. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) endorses it for a wide array of conditions, and it’s the primary method the NHS utilizes to help psychological health.

CBT practitioners concentrate on pinpointing problematic thoughts or feelings, employing systematic techniques to modify cognition and actions. Consequently, clients typically receive assignments and are guided through an organized plan, equipping them with tactics and methods for future application.

CBT excels in addressing specific concerns such as anxiety, phobias, OCD, depression, symptoms of menopause, sleeplessness, and anger management. Its commendation stems from a robust foundation of empirical support. The most proficient CBT therapists hold accreditation from the BACP.

Our dedicated page, with links to our practitioners of CBT is here .

🔶🔶🔶

Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

Psychodynamic therapy is a type of therapy that believes our past shapes our present. It suggests that experiences from our childhood and past relationships can affect how we think and act today, often without us realizing it. Psychodynamic psychotherapy examines the influence of our life experiences, starting from birth, on our present actions and mental patterns.

Often, we develop defence mechanisms in response to past relationships or traumas that no longer serve us well today. The underlying principle is that suppressed or unacknowledged issues linger in our subconscious, making us unaware of their impact on our lives.

In this therapy, the therapist helps the client explore these past experiences and the defences or coping strategies that have been developed over time. The goal is to understand and resolve these issues, so they stop affecting the client’s current life negatively.

The therapist guides the client to uncover clues from their past that are influencing the present. The idea is that understanding these influences, helps us start to change the way we think and react, leading to a healthier and happier life.

Psychodynamic therapy can be beneficial for individuals who are dealing with a range of emotional and psychological issues. It’s particularly helpful for those who want to understand the root causes of their current problems, which may stem from unresolved conflicts or experiences from their past.

This type of therapy is often recommended for people who are experiencing:

🔶 Depression
🔶 Anxiety
🔶 Personality disorders
🔶 Stress-related physical ailments
🔶 Relationship issues
🔶 Low self-esteem
🔶 Chronic unhappiness

It’s also suitable for those who are interested in self-exploration and personal growth, as it provides a deep insight into one’s own behaviours, thoughts, and feelings.

Our dedicated page, with links to our Psychodynamic practitioners is here.

🔶🔶🔶

EMDR

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a newer approach to treating psychological trauma. Therapists trained in EMDR use more than just talk therapy; they incorporate ‘bilateral stimulation’ methods, which include side-to-side eye movements, auditory tones, or physical taps, to help diminish the severe impact of traumatic memories and integrate them as regular memories through processing them correctly in the mind and body.

EMDR is particularly recommended by NICE (NHS advisory body), for treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) stemming from traumatic events, such as where it’s occurred after being exposed to life-threatening or life-changing circumstances. However, it can also be effective for any type of trauma, for depression and issues in relationships, especially events or where a series of events has provoked an overwhelming response or activate the fight-or-flight reaction.

Our dedicated page, with links to our EMDR practitioners is here

🔶🔶🔶

Hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy is frequently selected by individuals grappling with anxiety, panic disorders, some physical disorders, – in particular where chronic – and stress. It’s also a popular choice for addressing self-sabotaging behaviours and various phobias, including fear of public speaking, flying, or other phobias affecting daily life.

Hypnotherapy is a form of therapy that uses hypnosis, which is a state of focused attention, deep relaxation, and increased suggestibility, to help individuals make positive changes in their lives. During hypnotherapy, a trained therapist guides the individual into this relaxed state and then suggests ways to achieve specific goals, such as quitting smoking or reducing stress.

The process can help people explore painful thoughts, feelings, and memories they might have hidden from their conscious minds. In this state, people may be more open to discussion and suggestion, and they can focus on specific tasks or issues more effectively.

Hypnotherapy is used for a wide range of psychological and physical issues. It’s important to note that while in hypnosis, individuals remain in control and are not made to do anything against their will.

Additionally, NICE recognizes hypnotherapy as an effective treatment for physical conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), meaning that GPs can recommend it as an approach to patients alongside their usual care.

Our dedicated page, with links to our Hypnotherapy practitioners is here

🔶🔶🔶

Sex Therapy or Psychosexual Therapy

Sex therapy, also known as psychosexual therapy, is a specialized form of talk therapy that caters to individuals and couples of any sexual orientation. It’s designed to address a range of sexual issues without involving physical touch within the therapy sessions. Instead, therapists may suggest exercises to be tried privately that could involve touch, aiming to enhance sexual satisfaction and resolve difficulties.

This therapeutic approach provides a confidential and non-judgemental space to explore intimate issues that are often too personal to discuss with friends or family. By examining both psychological and emotional factors, psychosexual therapy helps individuals and couples understand and overcome the barriers that affect their sexual well-being. The process involves a combination of dynamic relationship therapy and behaviourally focused techniques to address ongoing issues that cause distress in one’s sex life.

The goal of sex therapy is to improve physical intimacy and manage any sexual difficulties by exploring unconscious thoughts and feelings that may be contributing to these challenges. It supports clients in feeling more comfortable with sexual activity and achieving a more fulfilling sex life. Homework assignments are often part of the therapy, designed to be carried out in the privacy of the client’s home, which helps integrate the therapeutic work into real-life situations.

This therapy can be used where there are issues relating to mental health and earlier life experiences, such as PTSD, pain with intercourse, erectile dysfunction, relationship and sexuality.

Our dedicated page, with links to our Psychosexual Therapists is here

🔶🔶🔶

Which Practitioner?

It should be highlighted that there is a range of training and experience among therapy practitioners, who often integrate tools from different psychotherapeutic and counselling traditions in their practice. Practitioners usually propose an initial short consultation, often free, to assess the compatibility of their therapeutic techniques with your needs before therapy begins.

Start with our dedicated pages, to see the practitioners and therapies offered, there is a lot of information to assist.

🔶🔶🔶

Other Talking Therapies… find out more

We’ve covered these therapy types this time, as the Telegraph Article discussed those. Next time, we will explore in part 2 of the blog, some of the other talking therapies offered by practitioners #AllUnderOurRoof at BCR. More instalments of the blog will follow

←Fibromyalgia - BBC Morning Live feature Which Talking Therapy is for me? (part 2) →