CBT is a widely used and evidence-based form of psychotherapy that focuses on the connections between thoughts, emotions, and behaviours.

It is based on the idea that our thoughts and beliefs influence our feelings and behaviours, and that by identifying and changing negative or unhelpful thought patterns, we can alleviate emotional distress and improve our quality of life.

CBT is a collaborative process between the therapist and the client, where they work together to identify specific goals for therapy and develop strategies to achieve them. The therapist takes an active role in guiding the therapeutic process and teaching practical skills to the client.

In CBT, clients learn to identify and challenge negative or distorted thoughts by examining the evidence for and against them, generating alternative explanations, and developing more balanced and realistic perspectives. This process is known as cognitive restructuring.

CBT teaches clients a variety of practical skills and techniques to manage their emotions and cope with life's challenges more effectively. These may include assertiveness training, problem-solving skills, communication skills, and stress management techniques. Client’s are provided with homework assignments between sessions to practice new skills and apply therapeutic techniques in real-life situations. This helps reinforce learning and facilitate lasting change.

Vivien uses several evidence-based therapies specifically designed to address and alleviate the effects of trauma. These therapies aim to help individuals process traumatic experiences, reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and promote healing and recovery. Some of the therapies utilitised are:

• Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT): CPT is a structured, time-limited therapy that helps individuals challenge and modify unhelpful beliefs and thoughts related to the traumatic event. It focuses on understanding the impact of trauma on beliefs about safety, trust, power, control, and self-esteem, and teaches coping skills to manage distressing thoughts and emotions.

• Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE): PE is a type of exposure therapy that helps individuals confront and process traumatic memories and situations that they have been avoiding. It involves gradual, systematic exposure to trauma-related memories, reminders, and situations, combined with techniques to reduce anxiety and distress.

• Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR): EMDR is a therapy that uses bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, hand taps, or auditory tones, to help individuals process traumatic memories and reduce associated distress. During EMDR sessions, clients focus on traumatic memories while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation, which can facilitate the reprocessing of traumatic experiences.

• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT): DBT is a therapy originally developed for individuals with borderline personality disorder, but it has also been adapted for trauma treatment. DBT emphasizes mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness skills to help individuals cope with trauma-related symptoms and improve their quality of life.

ACT is a form of psychotherapy that combines acceptance and mindfulness strategies with commitment and behaviour change techniques. It is based on CBT but places greater emphasis on acceptance, values, and living a meaningful life.

ACT teaches clients to accept their thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations without judgment or attempts to change them. Rather than trying to control or suppress unwanted experiences, clients learn to make room for them and allow them to come and go naturally.

ACT incorporates mindfulness practices to help clients become more aware of their internal experiences and the present moment. Mindfulness techniques, such as meditation and mindful breathing, are used to cultivate greater attention, awareness, and psychological flexibility.

ACT encourages clients to clarify their values and identify what truly matters to them in life. By connecting with their values, clients gain a sense of direction and purpose, which can guide their actions and decisions even in the presence of difficult thoughts and emotions.

IPT is a time-limited, evidence-based form of psychotherapy that focuses on addressing interpersonal issues and improving interpersonal relationships.

It is based on the idea that psychological symptoms and distress are often related to difficulties in relationships and life transitions.

The therapist and client collaborate to explore the client's interpersonal patterns, including communication styles, expectations, and ways of relating to others.

By gaining insight into these patterns, the client can identify maladaptive behaviours and develop more effective strategies for interacting with others.

The therapist helps the client identify concrete goals for improving relationships and implementing changes in their interactions with others.

Schema Therapy is a therapeutic approach that integrates elements of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), attachment theory, and psychodynamic principles to treat long-standing patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving known as "schemas." It is considered particularly effective for individuals with chronic psychological issues, such as personality disorders and complex trauma.