What is EMDR?

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychological treatment that has been used effectively for over 20 years in a variety of settings and cultures with many different types of psychological distress.  EMDR psychotherapy involves recalling distressing images while generating one type of bilateral sensory input, such as eye movements or hand tapping. This allows you to process these past events in a more positive way, lessening or eliminating their negative impact on your current life. EMDR has been used successfully to treat a wide range of presenting issues including depression, anxiety, trauma and phobias.

What is CBT?

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a psychological treatment that aims to improve mental health. CBT focuses on challenging and changing unhelpful cognitive distortions (negative thoughts) and behaviours, improving emotional regulation, and the development of personal coping strategies that target common presenting issues including depression, anxiety, low motivation, relationship difficulties as well as many others.

What is ACT?

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a psychological treatment that aims to help you to accept what is out of your personal control, and commit to action that improves and enriches your life.The aim of ACT is to maximise human potential for a rich, full and meaningful life. The main ACT approach includes  a) teaching you psychological skills to deal with your painful thoughts and feelings effectively – in such a way that they have much less impact and influence over you; followed by b) helping you to clarify what is truly important and meaningful to you (your core values) then use that knowledge to guide, inspire and motivate you to change your life for the better.

What is DIR/floortime?

D=Developmental I=Individual difference and R= Relationship-based model. The DIR/Floortime model was developed by Dr. Stanley Greenspan MD, and Serena Wieder PhD.  This is a comprehensive way of looking at how humans develop and provides a framework for assessment and intervention. Floortime is the centrepiece of DIR program and the main tool used. What is floor time – It is attunement between child and parent/carer/therapist. A time of spontaneous play when we ‘follow the child’s lead’ and tune in to a rhythm and sense of connectedness with the child, helping him/her climb the developmental ladder, while supporting and including their individual differences. Use of affect to enhance integration of sensory regulatory, communication and motor systems. This programme focuses on supporting parent child relationships, joint attention, parental responsiveness and emotional attunement.

“The DIR Floortime spirit is to cherish what the child does & is the first step-in building a relationship and learning. Similarly we want to bring the same spirit to our effort to educate one another about floor time. As we all improve our floor time capacities we hopefully do so in a spirit of mutual admiration and respect.” Dr. Stanley Greenspan.