Psychological Approaches
Supporting communication
People are complex beings that are an integration of mind, body and spirit. Life is full of challenges and struggles that can create anxiety, low mood and other emotions such as sadness, anger, guilt and shame. This is all part of being a human being.
Communication difficulties can be an obstacle to fully expressing thoughts and feelings and obscures one’s identity and may thwart hopes, dreams and intentions.
Psychological approaches are very useful to help along the journey of changing communication. Below are some therapeutic approaches that Nicola combines with Speech and Language Therapy.
Narrative Therapy
Narrative Therapy is a humanistic practice making life’s invisible stories visible. It shines a light on the influences of power, context, upbringing and culture on how one makes sense of oneself and the world. It highlights what is important in life. This deeply respectful approach, developed by Michael White and David Epston, shines a light on hopes, dreams and intentions, moving towards a preferred way of living and feeling.
Compassion Focused Therapy
Compassion is at the heart of this approach. Developed by Paul Gilbert, it explores how a compassionate self can provide kindness, strength and wisdom to deal with everyday life and challenging situations. The “tricky mind” can be overly critical at times, causing anxiety, sadness, shame and anger.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT is an innovative approach developed by Stephen Hayes, Kirk Strosahl & Kelly Wilson to manage the upsetting and painful experiences of life. It is a contextual cognitive-behavioural intervention, designed to create psychological flexibility when confronted with uncomfortable thoughts, feelings and bodily sensations. It recruits experiential wisdom, explores what matters in life and encourages taking committed actions towards achieving goals.
Clinical Hypnosis
Clinical Hypnosis uses the unconscious mind to unlock inner resources change habits, reduce anxieties and tap into inner strength. It can reframe uncomfortable and painful feelings and thoughts and overcome distress around communication. Psychotherapeutic behavioural and psychodynamic approaches are used in the “trance state” to bring about change.
Solution Focused Brief Therapy
Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) (de Shazer) focuses on solutions to move towards a preferred future or outcome.