TREATMENT MODALITIES
The psychologists at Adelaide Clinical Psychology are trained in a wide variety of evidence-based and contemporary treatment modalities and therapies designed to help patients achieve their therapeutic goals.
COGNITIVE BEHAVIOUR THERAPY
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that aims to help a person change unhelpful or unhealthy patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving by looking at the link between their thoughts, feelings and actions, and how each may affect their perception and well-being.
CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented, hands-on therapy that has proven effective in the treatment of:
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anxiety disorders (such as general anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and social anxiety disorder);
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mood disorders (such as depression and
bipolar disorder);
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eating disorders (such as bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa);
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other issues (such as anger, stress and problem gambling).
To learn more about CBT, visit our CBT Therapy page.
ACCEPTANCE & COMMITMENT
THERAPY
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a mindfulness behavioural therapy that encourages people to accept things as they come without evaluating or attempting to change them. ACT encourages people to develop a new and compassionate relationship with unwanted thoughts or feelings rather than trying to directly change or stop them. This shift can free them from difficulties attempting to control their experiences and help them be more open to actions consistent with their values.
ACT has proven effective in the treatment of a diverse range of clinical conditions, including:
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stress and anxiety disorders (such as general anxiety disorder, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD);
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depression;
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eating disorders (such as anorexia nervosa);
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substance abuse.
To learn more about ACT, visit our ACT Therapy page.
SCHEMA THERAPY
Schema therapy is an integrative therapy approach which combines elements of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Psychoanalysis, Attachment Theory, and Emotion-focused Therapy to treat personality disorders and other mental health concerns that don’t always respond to other treatment options. It can be particularly useful for treating borderline personality disorder.
In schema therapy, you’ll work to uncover and understand your schemas, sometimes called early maladaptive schemas. Schemas are unhelpful patterns that some people develop if their emotional needs aren’t met as children. These schemas can affect a person throughout life and contribute to problematic coping methods and behaviours if they aren’t addressed. Schema therapy aims to teach a person how to ensure their emotional needs are met in a healthy adult way that doesn’t cause distress.
To learn more about Schema Therapy, visit our Schema Therapy page.
DIALECTICAL BEHAVIOUR
THERAPY (DBT)
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a modified type of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) that teaches people how to live in the moment, develop healthy ways to cope with stress, regulate emotions, and improve relationships with others.
DBT was originally intended to treat borderline personality disorder but it has been adapted to treat other mental health conditions, including:
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attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
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bipolar disorder;
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eating disorders (such as anorexia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and bulimia nervosa).
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generalised anxiety disorder;
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major depressive disorder (including treatment-resistant major depression and chronic depression);
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non-suicidal self-injury;
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obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD);
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post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD);
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suicidal behaviour;
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substance use disorder.
To learn more about DBT, visit our DBT Therapy page.
EMDR THERAPY
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy that shows that the mind can, in fact, heal from psychological trauma much as the body recovers from physical trauma. EMDR therapy demonstrates that a similar sequence of events occurs with mental processes. The brain’s information processing system naturally moves toward mental health. If the system is blocked or imbalanced by the impact of a disturbing event, the emotional wound festers and can cause intense suffering. Once the block is removed, healing resumes.
EMDR is often used to help people recover from the symptoms and emotional distress caused by disturbing life experiences. You can learn more about our approach on the EMDR therapy page.