Therapy tailored to the person
People rarely arrive in therapy with difficulties that fit neatly into a single category. Anxiety may occur alongside chronic pain, workplace stress, relationship difficulties, trauma, sleep problems or major changes in life. For that reason, I begin by trying to understand the person and the circumstances in which the problem has developed.
My approach is collaborative. We work together to clarify what is happening, identify useful goals and decide which psychological strategies are most appropriate. I draw upon a broad clinical background rather than applying one therapeutic method to every person.
Understanding before intervening
Assessment and therapy are closely connected. A good clinical formulation helps us understand the factors that may have contributed to a problem, what may now be maintaining it, and what can realistically be changed.
A practical focus
Therapy should ultimately be useful in everyday life. Depending on the person and the problem, this may involve developing new ways of thinking and responding, improving emotional or physiological regulation, changing behaviour, strengthening relationships, or addressing patterns that have become unhelpful over time.