Initial session: Tessa establishes rapport and connections by creating a safe, non-judgemental environment for clients to share the issues or challenges they are seeking support for. It is also an opportunity for clients to assess if this is the right therapeutic setting for them.
Following sessions: Co-develop therapy goals and collaboratively formulate a treatment plan. Sessions continue as directed by clients (weekly, fortnightly or monthly) utilising a combination of interventions and approaches ((listed below) to achieve therapy goals. There is no right or wrong way to ‘do therapy’ and all sessions will be individually tailored to suit each client’s particular needs and circumstances.
No referral is required ensuring immediate access to counselling.
What to expect from a counselling session
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) assist in building resilience and enhancing wellbeing by placing emphases on the acceptance of uncomfortable experiences and by building commitment to behaviours and actions that are aligned with personal values. ACT uses a range of experiential exercises to reduce anxious thoughts, low mood and other presenting concerns. Clients learn how to develop a transcendent sense of self, to live more intentionally and to commit to taking action as guided by their deepest values.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is essentially paying attention to the present moment with openness, curiosity and without judgement. It involves learning to be more in the ‘here and now’ as opposed to ruminating about the past or worrying about the future. By supporting clients to be more intentionally aware and focussed on things as they unfold, they can choose to behave in less reactive ways that are more attuned to their true values.
Solution Focussed Therapy
Solution Focused Therapy is a goal focused approach that incorporates positive psychology principles to support clients in constructing solutions rather than focusing on problems. Its focus is on the present and the future and assists clients in clarifying their concerns and to formulate, achieve and sustain desired behavioural change.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) explores the links between thoughts, emotions and behaviours and is designed to encourage awareness of self-defeating and negative thinking patterns and behaviours. CBT aims to alleviate distress by gently challenging clients to break the habit of negative thinking and to learn more helpful and healthier ways to think and behave.
Motivational Interviewing
Motivational Interviewing is a collaborative, goal-oriented style of therapy that focuses on understanding a client’s motivation for positive change. It aims to increase awareness of problems caused and consequences experienced, as a result of poor behavioural choices, and supports clients to envisage a better future and become more motivated to achieve it.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is a psychotherapy treatment that aims to alleviate the distress associated with traumatic memories and enable individuals to develop more adaptive coping mechanisms. It utilises a phased, focused approach to treating trauma and other symptoms by reconnecting clients in safe and measured way to the images, self-thoughts, emotions, and body sensations associated with negative experiences and supporting them to move toward adaptive resolution.