What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Autism Spectrum Conditions?

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is often hailed as the treatment of choice for Autism Spectrum Conditions, particularly Asperger’s Syndrome and High-functioning Autism( Gaus,2007; Jacobsen, 2003; Paxton and Estay (2007).

CBT is a form of talking therapy that can help you manage your problems by changing the way you think and behave.

CBT  focuses on how you think about the things going on in your life – your thoughts, images, beliefs and attitudes – and how this impacts on the way you behave and deal with emotional problems. It then looks at how you can change any negative patterns of thinking or behaviour that may be causing you difficulties. In turn, this can change the way you feel. CBT cannot remove your problems, but can help you manage them in a more positive way.

What is EMDR?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is a comprehensive psychotherapy that helps you process and recover from past experiences and traumas that are affecting your mental health and wellbeing. It involves using side to side eye movements ( bilateral stimulation) combined with talk therapy in a specific and structured format. EMDR helps you process the negative images, emotions, beliefs and body sensations associated with traumatic memories that seem to be stuck. These can contribute to a range of mental health problems. Using the detailed protocols and procedures learned in EMDR therapy training sessions, therapists help clients activate their natural healing processes and recover from trauma.

What is Psychodynamic counselling?

Psychodynamic counselling psychotherapy encompasses a talking therapy of an more analytical nature. It seeks to increase a client's self-awareness and understanding of how the past has influenced present thoughts and behaviours, by exploring their unconscious patterns.

Clients are encouraged to explore unresolved issues and conflicts, and to talk about important people and relationships in their life. Transference (when  clients transfer feelings they have toward important people in their life onto the therapist) is encouraged during sessions.

Psychodynamic Counselling  seeks to provide a quicker solution for more immediate problems, is more practically based and shorter term than psychoanalytic therapy.

What is Person-Centered (PCT) counselling?

Person-centered therapy, also known as Client-centered therapy, is a non-directive talking therapy. The basic premise of PCT is that people tend to move toward growth and healing, and have the capacity to find their own answers. This tendency is helped along by a therapist who seeks to provide deep understanding  (empathy), acceptance (having unconditional positive regard) and genuine (congruence).

What is Existential counselling?

The existential-phenomenological therapeutic approach is grounded in a descriptive exploration of what it means to exist as a human being capable of language and reflection which provides the capacity for freedom, responsibility and choice as to how one is to live one’s life.