Therapy Interventions
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR is an internationally renown and powerful psychological treatment that has been effectively used in a variety of different cultures, contexts and with different types of psychological distress for over 30 years. This intervention was originally designed to alleviate the distress associated with traumatic memories. EMDR therapy offers an efficient approach to address psychological and physiologic symptoms resulting from adverse life experiences.
EMDR is a well-established evidence-based treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Numerous international organisation, including the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), the American Psychiatric Association (APA), the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS), and the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended EMDR as an effective treatment people suffering from PTSD. Unlike other evidence-based trauma treatments, such as Trauma-Focused CBT or DBT Prolonged Exposure, EMDR does not require detailed descriptions of the event, directly challenging personal beliefs, extensive exposure to events, or homework.
Research shows that EMDR can help reprocess upsetting memories or stressful events as well as related thoughts, sensation and emotions. EMDR Therapy is now also being used for a wider range of mental health conditions where memories have been paired with residual cognitive, emotional and somatic disturbances.
EMDR can be effective in supporting the recovery from many different issues including:
- Anxiety, panic attacks, and phobias
- Depression
- Dissociative disorders
- Grief and loss
- Performance / Sport anxiety
- Sexual assault
- Physical assault or accident
- Birthing injuries
For more information visit: https://www.emdr.com/what-is-emdr/
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
CBT is an evidence-based, short-term therapy for a wide range of difficulties including depression and anxiety. Therapy aims to enhance understanding of how thoughts, feelings and behaviours influence each other in ways that can be helpful or unhelpful.
For more information visit: https://beckinstitute.org/about/understanding-cbt/
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
EFT is an evidence-based, short-term therapy that aims to improve relationships by identifying ineffective interpersonal transactions and discovering the unmet emotional needs that underly their anger or alienation. EFT takes a humanistic approach to treatment, and is designed to help people better accept, regulate, understand, and express their emotions. EFT primarily draws from attachment theory to facilitate the creation of secure, vibrant connection with self and others.
For more information visit: https://iceeft.com/what-is-eft/
Schema Therapy
Schema Therapy is a comprehensive, medium to long-term, integrative treatment approach for long-standing difficulties. Schema Therapy incorporates elements of cognitive behavioural therapy, attachment theory, Gestalt therapy, and psychoanalytic object relations therapy into one integrated method. Developed by Jeffrey Young, Schema Therapy is typically used for chronic problems often relating to childhood needs that were inadequately met.
For more information visit: http://www.schematherapy.com/
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
DBT is an evidence-based psychotherapy that can be effective in treating mood disorders, suicidal ideation, and for change in behavioural patterns such as self-harm, and substance abuse. DBT is designed to help people increase their emotional and cognitive regulation by learning about what prompting events lead to reactive states; and by helping to assess which coping skills to apply in the sequence of events, thoughts, feelings, and behaviours to avoid undesired outcomes. DBT has been used to treat people with depression, drug and alcohol problems, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injuries (TBI), binge-eating disorder, and mood disorders.
For more information visit: https://behavioraltech.org
Please note, we do not offer mental health crisis services or eating disorder interventions. If you require immediate support, please contact your local mental health crisis team, your GP, or call 111 if your or someone’s safety is at imminent risk.
m: +64 21 043 3655 e: svenja@psychologicalservices.nz
Psychological Services Aotearoa 