Therapy

Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT) is a time-limited therapy (typically 4-24 sessions) that assists with difficulties in relating to yourself and others, by drawing on your early experiences. Early experiences shape who we are and how we interact with the world and how we relate to/care for ourselves. By working together with your therapist, you will learn about the unhelpful patterns of relating that you may have developed and understand how they might make life more difficult for you. This will hopefully lead to you being able to make effective changes to your life.

Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT) is an effective therapy that can help with a number of difficulties. These can include problems such as depression, anxiety, stress, self-harm, eating disorders, trauma, abuse, rape, personality disorders, difficulties in relationships, physical health difficulties, problems looking after yourself and substance misuse.

Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT) was developed from a combination of other therapeutic approaches/models including psychodynamic theory. An important part of the therapy is your relationship with the therapist. In CAT, your relationship with your therapist will actively be used to understand your patterns of relating and how they might impact others and yourself.

The structure or format of the therapy typically follows three stages. The first stage is called the ‘reformulation’ stage. During the first several sessions, you and your therapist will spend time discussing your early experiences and childhood. This will help you both to begin to form an understanding and appreciation of the difficult life situations that have led to your current difficulties. You will discuss your typical patterns of relating to yourself and others and your therapist will draw these out to form collaborative working diagrams that start to make links between how you think, feel and act. This stage of therapy ends with what we call a ‘reformulation letter’. This is a letter written by your therapist to you, which describes their understanding of how your early experiences have affected you and how you live your life in the here-and-now. This will also give some ideas for how you can start moving towards achieving the goals you have set out for therapy.

The next stage is where you and your therapist work together to help you to start changing your unhelpful patterns of relating, to more adaptive and helpful patterns. This will be done at your pace and with the aim of helping you to achieve your therapy goals. So for example, if you cope with difficult emotions by emotional eating, you and your therapist will work together to help you find more helpful coping strategies that mean that it feels safe and OK to be in touch with your emotions without feeling overwhelmed by them.

The final stage of therapy is where all the progress you have made comes together and you start thinking about ending therapy. At this point of therapy, you will likely have made a number of changes to your unhelpful patterns of relating and will have developed more helpful ways of thinking, feeling and acting. The therapy will end with a goodbye letter from your therapist. This summarises the work you have done together and the changes you have made, with comments on how you can continue to maintain and build on these changes once you leave therapy.

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based therapy which is widely used across the lifespan for a range of difficulties. It is recommended in many NICE guidelines and has attracted lots of NHS funding. This means that it is a therapy has the best evidence of good outcomes for a range of difficulties.

It is a time-limited, present-focused, goal-oriented therapy. This means that it focuses on the here-and-now and helps you achieve your specific goals. It is a brief therapy and can be anything from 3 to 24 sessions.

CBT looks at how the way you think and the way you act, interact to affect how you feel. In therapy, you and your therapist will identify the vicious cycles that keep you stuck and unhappy. By exploring these together, you will learn how to break this vicious cycle through using a range of coping strategies and techniques to reduce distress and enhance your wellbeing. A key feature is a collaborative relationship with your therapist.

Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) is a psychological approach designed to help individuals develop self-compassion and understanding, especially when facing emotional challenges such as shame, self-criticism, or feelings of inadequacy. Rooted in evolutionary psychology, neuroscience, and cognitive-behavioral principles, CFT focuses on cultivating the ability to nurture kindness toward oneself and others while fostering resilience. It emphasizes balancing three emotional systems – the threat, drive, and soothing systems – to promote emotional well-being and reduce psychological distress. By practicing mindfulness, self-kindness, and guided therapeutic exercises, individuals can learn to break cycles of self-judgment and build a more compassionate and fulfilling relationship with themselves and the world around them.

We have experience of supporting children, young people and their families using a range of therapy models and approaches. We have a broad experience of working in a range of settings including CAMHS, child trauma services, perinatal services, inpatient units and children who are under the care of the local authority.

We can offer a range of services such as therapy and assessment to young people and their families. Sessions are currently online only and can be accessed outside of school hours.

Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP) is a therapeutic approach designed to help children and young people who have experienced trauma, attachment difficulties, or disruptions in early relationships. Grounded in principles of attachment theory, DDP focuses on creating a safe, nurturing environment where trust can be rebuilt and emotional healing can occur. The therapy involves both the child and their caregiver, fostering open communication, empathy, and understanding. By emphasising connection and attunement, DDP helps individuals process difficult emotions, develop healthier attachment patterns, and build stronger, more secure relationships within their families.

EMDR is an evidence-based treatment for treating trauma, PTSD and a range of other mental health difficulties. It has been recommended in the NICE guidelines for PTSD but has also demonstrated effectiveness for other issues.

This therapy works on the basis that unprocessed and upsetting memories can be processed using eye movements. This leads to reduced distress associated with upsetting memories and reduced PTSD/trauma symptoms.

This therapy can work within a few sessions although can take longer depending on the nature of the trauma. Sessions will typically be 90 minutes long for adults but you can discuss this with your therapist.

You can find out more about EMDR here on the EMDR Association website.

Mindfulness is the practice of intentionally focusing your attention on the present moment with openness, curiosity, and without judgment. Rooted in ancient traditions and supported by modern science, mindfulness helps individuals cultivate a greater awareness of their thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations.

By practicing mindfulness, people can develop a deeper connection to themselves and their surroundings, reduce stress, and enhance emotional well-being. Whether through meditation, breathing exercises, or mindful daily activities, mindfulness empowers individuals to respond to life’s challenges with clarity and calmness, fostering greater balance and resilience in everyday life.

Perinatal Support focuses on nurturing the emotional well-being of mothers during pregnancy, childbirth, and the early stages of motherhood, with a particular emphasis on the mother-baby relationship. This specialised support helps mothers navigate the challenges and transitions of this critical period, addressing concerns such as anxiety, depression, birth trauma, or attachment difficulties. Through a compassionate and supportive approach, therapy fosters a deeper understanding of both the mother’s and baby’s needs, promoting secure bonding and emotional connection. By strengthening the mother-baby relationship, perinatal support helps build a foundation for healthy development and emotional resilience for both mother and child.

Systemic Therapy, is a holistic approach that focuses on the relationships and dynamics within systems, such as families, couples, or other close groups. Rather than addressing issues in isolation, this therapy explores how interactions, communication patterns, and shared beliefs influence individual and collective well-being. Systemic Therapy provides a supportive space to address conflicts, improve understanding, and strengthen relationships by fostering healthier communication and collaboration. By considering the interconnected nature of people’s lives, this approach helps individuals and groups create positive changes that promote harmony, growth, and resilience within their relationships.