Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based psychotherapy originally developed to treat post‑traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is now used to treat a variety of symptoms and diagnoses.

EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (often side to side eye or body movements or audio tones) to activate information processing systems. This helps the brain integrate and reprocess memories or information that have maintained symptoms and/or distress.

EMDR has become quite popular both due to its efficacy and potential for decreased reliance on conversation and discussion of distressing and difficult topics, compared with other therapies.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) works on the premise that we can engage meaningfully and in line with our values, despite the difficult thoughts and feelings that exist as part of the human experience.

Key methods:

• Mindfulness: staying present without judgment.

• Cognitive defusion: skills to allow thoughts to occur without attaching meaning and feeling.

• Acceptance: allowing uncomfortable feelings instead of fighting them.

• Values and committed action: identifying what is important to us and taking steps toward our life goals.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) relies on the interaction between our thoughts, feelings and actions to understand our problems and develop skills to manage life’s difficulties. CBT looks at analysing and modifying patterns of thinking and behaviour that are unhelpful, with clear goals identified at the outset of treatment.

Therapy includes:

• Cognitive restructuring (challenging unhelpful thoughts and developing more adaptive thinking styles and beliefs).

• Behavioural activation (increasing activities in line with values or that are rewarding).

• Exposure (gradually increasing tolerance to feared situations)

• Problem-solving skills (identifying potential solutions and decision making).

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) was developed to address intense emotional dysregulation; it combines strategies from CBT, Mindfulness and Acceptance to improve life and internal experiences.

Treatment includes therapeutic work to balance the dialectics between acceptance and change; and includes skills training in:

Emotional regulation skills

Distress tolerance.

Interpersonal effectiveness.

Mindfulness.

Schema therapy combines elements of cognitive-behavioural, attachment, psychodynamic and experiential approaches to treat chronic relationship and emotional difficulties. Therapy focuses on identifying schemas (broad, self-defeating beliefs usually developed through early attachment relationships) and coping styles and modes that continue our pattenrs.

Schema therapy uses cognitive, behavioural and experiential techniques (such as imagery rescripting and limited reparenting) to reduce schema-driven responses and strengthen healthier adult responses to difficult situations. It is particularly useful for complex, long-standing problems.

Play therapy uses children’s primary mode of processing and communication (i.e. Play!) to help them express and understand their thoughts and emotions. It aids development of coping, emotional regulation and problem-solving skills. Play therapy is used for a range of issues including anxiety, anger, trauma exposure, behavioural difficulties, family stressors and relationship problems.

Psychodynamic therapy explores patterns of relating to others that were influenced by internal, subconscious drives and early life experiences. Therapy includes interpretation and reflection to increase insight, resolve inner tensions and develop preferred patterns of relating to ourselves and others. Treatment strengthens secure attachment using experiences and interactions within the therapeutic relationship, emphasising emotional attunement, safety and open communication.