services
Charis offers a variety of psychological services
Individual psychotherapy is a collaborative one-on-one process between a therapist and client in therapy. Individual psychotherapy allows the psychologist and person in therapy to talk through problems or situations, build rapport and solve the person’s issue together. It may not take away the problem completely, but it equips the person with the tools needed to cope better.
Common goals of individual psychotherapy can be to create change or improve quality of life. Psychotherapy can help people overcome difficulties intervening with their well-being. Psychotherapy can help people learn the skills needed to handle difficult situations and reach their goals. Many people describe experiencing joy following their therapeutic journey as they become more self-aware and experience personal growth.
There are many different forms of psychotherapy. Some treatments work better than others, it depends on each person and their unique issue. Depending on the issue and the person, individual psychotherapy may be a short- or long-term process. Individual psychotherapy is also called therapy, psychotherapy, psychosocial therapy, talk therapy, and counselling.
Couples therapy is a type of psychotherapy in which a psychologist works with couples of all types to gain insight into their relationship, resolve conflicts and improve relationship satisfaction using a variety of treatments. The psychologist will attempt to assist the couple to gain insight into the dynamics of their relationship which may be maintaining the problem. Common goals may be to increase emotional expression and develop the skills necessary to communicate and problem solve with each other more effectively.
It is important to note the relationship itself is the focus of treatment, rather than each person separately. Couples therapy typically includes both partners, but sometimes one partner may choose to work with the therapist alone. The specific treatment plan depends on the situation and the problem.
Group therapy is a form of psychotherapy that involves one or more psychologist working with a group people at the same time. Members in a group may benefit emotionally due to the support given through shared experiences. Many groups are designed to handle a specific problem, such as panic disorder, substance abuse, depression, anxiety or chronic illness. Other groups may focus more generally on helping members deal with a range of issues or improving social skills. Groups often help people who have experienced loss, whether it be a partner, child, unemployment or physical abilities.
Joining a group of strangers may sound intimidating and uncomfortable, but group therapy provides the members with a supportive network and contact with other members who may be experiencing the same difficulty. Group therapy normalizes the problem. It reveals how many other people are struggling with the same issue(s). It can be a relief to hear the other members experiences as to what they are going through and to realise they are not alone. A group provides the opportunity to see how other members view the situation and how other members tackle problems and make positive changes.
Groups can be as small as three or four people, but groups of eight to twelve are more common. The groups typically meet once or twice a week. Group therapy may be short or long term. Groups may either be open or closed. In an open group, new members are welcome to join at any time. In a closed group only the core group of members are invited to participate.
Trauma debriefing is a type of psychotherapy where emotional and psychological support is provided following a traumatic event. The goal of trauma debriefing is to prevent the development of and reduce the effects of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other negative experiences. Early treatment and a good support network may help prevent PSTD from developing following a trauma. Trauma debriefing may assist in reducing the symptoms, lessening the fear which comes with the memories of the event, and assist in finding effective coping skills to manage the trauma.
Trauma debriefing may be short or long term. Trauma debriefing combats negatives feelings following a trauma and assists people in healing. Trauma debriefing assists people to experience control over their life which a person may have felt they have lost following the traumatic event. Through the treatment process the traumatic experience can be concluded as the person is given the safe space to process the event.
Psychoeducational groups are a type of psychotherapy which involves the process of providing education and information to those seeking or receiving psychological services in a group setting. The goal of psychoeducational groups is to assist the group members to get a better understanding of certain topics, usually revolving around emotional well-being and mental health.
The purpose of psychoeducational groups is to provide the information needed for people to have a thorough understanding of the difficulties they are facing as well as to gain the knowledge about their personal abilities, and their own areas of strength. This enables people to better be able to address their difficulties and feel more in control. Psychoeducational groups can benefit a broad range of people having a broad range of difficulties – personally and professionally. The members of the group are generally experiencing the same difficulty. This allows the group to focus on a specific set of needs and unique topics. The group setting provides the opportunity for group members to share their individual experiences, provide support for one another and share their knowledge on the set topic.
Neuropsychological assessment are a batch of assessments that are carried out in the physical rehabilitation setting in order to assess overall ability, the extent of impairment to a particular skill and to attempt to determine the area of the brain which may have been damaged following traumatic brain injury, cerebrovascular accident or neurological illness.
These assessments may be performed by a psychometrist, counselling psychologist or clinical psychologist and aid in providing a detailed report with essential recommendations for necessary changes that can be made in social and/or occupational settings in order for an individual to function at the best of their current ability.
Grief is often painful, but for some people, the emotions can become overwhelming and unmanageable. When a person’s grief is so severe and does not seem to go away, a psychologist can offer support. In time, a person can recover from their loss and adjust to a new life following grief counselling. Grief may include the death of a loved one, a miscarriage or a life change such as job loss or divorce.
Grief counselling is a psychotherapy treatment plan intended to assist the person in therapy to grieve in a healthy way, to understand and cope with the feelings they are experiencing, and to ultimately find a way to move on following the loss. Treatment will provide the person with the necessary mental and emotional strategies to process the grief being felt.
Sexual rehabilitation focuses on sexual activities performed to restore sexual health, the condition for a happy and fulfilling life which ultimately improves life satisfaction. It begins with an awareness of the potential for sex difficulties following any disruption in health such as a traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury or cerebrovascular accident. A thorough sexual functioning history and an exploration of the client’s (and partner’s) expectations, limitations and potentials will enable the psychologist to understand the reasons why sexual activity has not resumed after illness, accident or surgery and to offer appropriate therapy. Acceptance, validation, appropriate reassurance, accurate information and specific suggestion are a few areas covered in sexology and sexual rehabilitation.
The main goals of rehabilitation is to restore the maximum achievable function and capacity, preventing any future complications or traumas. Additionally, importance is placed on minimising sexual dysfunctions and develop forms of sexual expression that are possible and the most rewarding in the case of a particular disability. Ultimately, the psychologist, client and their partner work collaboratively in creating a tailored plan that aids the quality of sexual life which translates into improvement in relationships, but also increases self-acceptance.
Staff wellness focuses on activities designed to support better health at work and/or to improve mental health outcomes. These groups are generally tailored to the needs of the company and staff in order to provide optimal support that is effective long-term. Ultimately, focus is placed on various social challenges in order to; empower staff to cope with and/or ultimately resolve these challenges to prevent it negatively affecting their work performance.
We aim to assist in developing a healthy and safe environment in the workplace by improving workplace vitality. This can help in the fight against staff burnout and staff turnover and encourages the company to remain competitive. Besides aiding in the emotional and psychological support to members within a company, staff wellness groups add continuous value in a business as it increases productivity and retention of staff.
Psychological debriefing is a formal short-term version of providing emotional and psychological support for staff immediately following or soon after a traumatic event or events. The goal of psychological debriefing is to prevent the development of post-traumatic stress disorder and other negative psychological disorders.
Most psychological debriefing interventions involve a single session which might last between one and three hours, in the days immediately following a traumatic event and is often provided in groups. Depending on the need, debriefing for staff may include crisis intervention approaches, group psychological debriefing, critical incident stress debriefing, and process debriefing.
Supervision is a formal arrangement for psychologists to discuss their work regularly with someone who is experienced in both therapy and supervision. It emphasises a relationship built on mutual trust and respect that attends to the supervisee’s requirements through learning in a collaborative manner while using research-based knowledge. The goal of supervision is to work together to ensure and develop the efficacy of the psychologist/client relationship.
The outline of supervision is tailored to the need of the supervisee and generally forms around the details of therapy and feelings about that work, together with the supervisor’s reactions, comments and challenges. Supervision aims to preserve adequate standards of therapy and encourages the widening of the horizons of an experienced practitioner.
Therapeutic Approaches
Our psychologists use a variety of approaches to therapy to meet your unique needs
Systemic psychotherapy has its roots in family therapy. This approach emphasises the relationship while focusing on the process of interaction between people rather than viewing an individual in isolation. Individuals are viewed within various systems, this includes the family system, as well as work and social life and focuses on interactions of groups and their interactional patterns and dynamics.
Systemic psychotherapy believes the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. Therefore, importance is placed on the properties of the whole that result from the interaction of the different elements of the system. Thus, emphasis is placed on the relationship that emerges from the interaction between people. Psychologists who practice systemic psychotherapy believe a system (i.e. a family, couple, work or social) includes one or more elements linked together in such a way that a change in the state will follow another system change.
Narrative therapy placed focus on our personal stories, which influence our thoughts and ultimately our decision-making and behaviours. It concentrates on aiding people to become an expert in their own lives. Emphasis is placed on the stories we develop and carry with us through our lives which we assign meanings to through our experiences and interactions. This impacts how we view ourselves and our world. We generally carry many different stories connected to the various parts of our lives.
Narrative therapy focuses on stories that are prominent and generally problematic in our lives. They normally negatively influence how we live our lives. Psychologists who work with Narrative therapy intimately explore these stories and explore information that assists individuals to challenge their problematic stories. Importance is placed on separating the person from their problem. In doing this, unhelpful meanings that have been intertwined into our stories can be challenged and healthy changes in our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours are introduced, allowing the individual to be open to new possibilities.
Cognitive behavioural therapy is a solution-focused therapy that works toward modifying dysfunctional emotions, behaviours, and thoughts by challenging and changing negative or irrational beliefs. The general principles of Cognitive behaviour therapy include working collaboratively towards clear goals. It believes that that thoughts and perceptions influence behaviour. It therefore aims to identify harmful thoughts, assess whether they are an accurate depiction of reality, and, if they are not, employ strategies to challenge and overcome them.
Cognitive behaviour therapy focuses on present difficulties rather than past or childhood events. Psychologists who practice cognitive behaviour therapy will likely ask about family history to get a better understand an individual but will not spend focus on past events. The emphasis is on what an individual is telling themselves that might result in anxious symptoms or emotional disturbance. An individual is then encouraged to address rational concerns practically, and to challenge irrational beliefs, rumination or catastrophising. Work between sessions is also encouraged for individuals to continuously put into practice the skills they have learned in sessions.
Psychodynamic psychotherapy involves the interpretation of mental and emotional processes rather than focusing on challenging problematic behaviour. It is considered an in-depth form of talk therapy based on the theories and principles of psychoanalysis.
Psychodynamic psychotherapy aims to help those who are aware of and understand the origins of their difficulties but are not able to overcome their problems on their own. This is done through assisting individuals in finding patterns in their emotions, understandings, thoughts and beliefs of their current selves. Often these patterns are explored from experiences beginning in early childhood. In sessions individuals learn to analyse and resolve their current issues and change their behaviour in current relationships through this deep exploration and analysis of earlier experiences and emotions. The aim of Psychodynamic psychotherapy is to aid individuals in forming a more purposeful and positive sense of self by enhancing self-awareness and bringing about understanding of the individual’s thoughts, feelings, and beliefs relative to their past experiences.
Solution-focused therapy is a practical therapy that places importance on discussing solutions rather than focusing on the problems that brought an individual to therapy. The problem is explored and understood in order to find a solution, but it is not dwelled upon. It also emphasises engaging in present issues while working toward a better future rather than exploring how childhood experiences may influence your present self.
The overall goal of solution focused therapy is for the psychologist and individual to participate in a collaborative manner in order to find and engage in realistic and workable solutions to the problem or problems as soon as possible. The psychologist aims to aid the individual in formulating a solution based on what the difficulties are, setting goals and implementing the solution. Solution-focused therapy is ideal for individuals suffering from less extreme mental health issues who are in need of brief intervention and can be used in individual, couple or family settings.
Integrative interactional therapy is in an approach that emphasises observable interactional patterns between relationships and how an individual interacts in these relationships in the present versus focusing on a formal diagnosis or how an individual’s past may influence their current behaviour. It incorporates a variety of communication-based techniques in order to develop a unique therapeutic plan for each individual.
Integrative interactional therapy essentially connects the subjective experience of an individual with that particular individual’s pattern of interaction with their environment. Therefore, if an individual relates to their environment negatively, their subjective experience of their environment will be influenced by this interaction. Thus, changes in how a client relates to their environment would ultimately change their experiences of it, which an Integrative interactional therapy does through the alteration in an individual’s interactional patterns. A psychologist practicing Integrative interactional therapy focuses on facilitating this change in an individual’s unique patterns in order to bring about change.
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is a psychotherapy treatment plan which assists people to cope with stress, improve emotional regulation and work on their interpersonal relationships. This type of therapy aims to treat people who see little to no progress with other therapy treatments. Many of the people who would benefit from DBT have been described as “difficult to treat”.
The term dialectical refers to the processes that bring opposite concepts together, such as change and acceptance. DBT focuses on problem solving and acceptance-based strategies. DBT focuses on teaching the person in therapy new skills which can be applied across all settings in their life.
Person-centered psychotherapy is a psychotherapy treatment plan which uses a non-directive approach that allows the client in therapy to take more of a lead in the sessions so that, in the process, they will discover their own solutions. The psychologist aims to portray compassion, to listen without judgment and to attempt to completely understand and accept the persons thoughts and feelings.
Person-centered therapy is a type psychotherapy wherein the person in therapy does most of the talking. The psychologist may rephrase or reflect on what the person says to fully understand the persons thoughts and feelings, with the openness that the person in therapy can alter or modify what is being said back. In this way the person in therapy can fully lay out what they are struggling with the aim to solve their own difficulties. The goals of Person-centered therapy is for the person in therapy to experience self-discovery, self-acceptance, and a provides a means toward healing and positive growth. Person-centered therapy has the belief that every person strives for and has the capacity to fulfil their own potential.
Play therapy is a psychotherapy treatment plan used primarily with children. Play therapy aims to provide a safe space for children to freely express distressing feelings and thoughts through play and drawing. Through play children can process and express their own emotions in a way which is easier for them.
Play in this sense is more than ordinary playtime. The psychologist can use play to observe and gain insights into a child’s problems in a safe, comfortable playroom where there are few rules as a means to encourage free expression. Through play, children can learn new coping mechanisms and how to redirect inappropriate behaviours more effectively.
Play therapy has the following benefits for children: children begin to take more responsibility for their behaviours; develop coping strategies and creative problem-solving skills; increased self-esteem; alleviation of anxiety and stronger social skills. These benefits provide a more positive view of the future for children as the have an increased sense of control.
Existential therapy is a psychotherapy treatment plan which focuses on free will, self-determination, and the search for meaning. The approach emphasizes the persons capacity to make rational choices and to develop their maximum potential. Existential therapy beliefs that all people have the capacity for self-awareness; a unique identity; that anxiety is normal; that each person creates their own meaning in life and each person needs to re-create themselves as their meaning of life changes.
Existential therapy aims to highlight each person’s abilities, capabilities and encourages them to take responsibility for their successes. By learning to take responsibility for their own choices and to make choices that align with their values, will help them to live a more authentic life. This type of therapy is intended to help people find meaning in life despite the natural tendency to worry and have fears. If successful, the person will live an authentic life filled with self-respect, whilst also making choices from a place of positivity and not fear. Existential therapy is well suited for persons facing issues of existence such as living with a terminal illness or a person who is experiencing a tough transition in life.
EMDR is a type of psychotherapy aimed at elevating trauma symptoms and anxiety based disorders. It assists in managing all types of trauma including sexual abuse, domestic violence, contact crime as well as persons suffering from other complaints such as substance misuse, phobias and self-esteem difficulties.
EMDR is a complex method of psychotherapy that integrates many of the successful elements of a range of therapeutic approaches in combination with eye movements, or other forms of rhythmical stimulation in ways that stimulate the brain’s information processing system.
The brain is a natural mechanism for processing disturbing events, however, when a traumatic experience is overwhelming, the brain is not able to process information the way it usually would. This explains why persons in therapy find themselves re-living the disturbing memories long after the traumatic event has ended. The disturbing memories are often naturally processed during the REM (rapid eye movement) sleep cycle. EMDR aims to jump-start this natural healing ability of the brain by using the person in therapy’s eye movements. As a result, the traumatic memories slowly begin to become less disturbing.
EMDR does not deem it necessary to delve into the persons past, but rather, EMDR aims to activate the information-processing system of the brain. This activation results in the therapeutic goals being achieved rapidly with recognizable changes that do not disappear over time. EMDR should be seen as a race. Each person in therapy will make changes in their own time and at their own pace.
EMDR should not be confused with hypnotherapy. EMDR is a client led therapy and the person in therapy is always in control.
Adlerian Psychology is a theory that attempts to see individual lives as a whole and thus regards every action and motivation as the individual expressing a particular attitude to life. Additionally, Adlerian Psychology views all behaviour as socially embedded and with social meaning. It also emphasizes the importance of relationships and being connected to others, including the larger community in which people reside. The theory is built on the curiosity of the power of life; an innate power seen in one’s desire to develop and achieve meaningful life goals. The goal in adlerian psychology is to make people aware of their faulty logic and assumptions about themselves, others and the world. People are made aware of this so as to help establish healthy, realistic and rewarding goals, which in turn helps one experience a more fulfilling life.