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  • Book A Session
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News and Commentary about CBT and Psychology

Exploring CBT’s Third Wave: A Look at Advanced CBT Techniques

4/5/2024

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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is understood to have evolved in stages. The fastest growing paradigm with CBT underpins the third wave approaches, which offer fresh perspectives and approaches. This "third wave" of CBT integrates some aspects of traditional cognitive-behavioural such as functional analysis with strategies that emphasise the use of mindfulness and related concepts such as acceptance and defusion. A strong focus may also be placed on the therapeutic relationship. Whether you're seeking telephone therapy, engaging with a CBT specialist in London or want to engage with online therapists in the UK, understanding these third-wave approaches can make it easier to find a suitable professional.

​What is Third Wave CBT?

Third wave CBT moves beyond the traditional focus on modifying negative thoughts as is found in Beckian Cognitive Therapy. Instead, it incorporates elements of mindfulness and acceptance in order to change the relationship with internal experiences such as thoughts and emotions. Third wave therapies include various therapeutic modalities that, while grounded in the core principles of CBT, introduce old school behavioural and mindfulness based strategies to address a wide palette of mental health difficulties.
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Key Third Wave Therapies and Their Focus Areas

  1. Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT): Originally developed to treat borderline personality disorder, DBT has proven effective for a variety of issues. These include elements often inherent to borderline personality disorder which include self-harm, eating disorders and mood disorders. It combines standard CBT techniques that encapsulate mindfulness practices which emphasise emotional regulation and interpersonal effectiveness. DBT is particularly beneficial for individuals dealing with intense emotions and those seeking to improve their relationship with others.
  2. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): ACT encourages individuals to accept their thoughts and feelings rather than fighting them in any way. It focuses on living in alignment with one's values whilst not emphasising the management of personal distress. Much research indicates that this approach is effective for treating anxiety, depression and stress-related issues. ACT provides the tools to engage authentically with life, regardless of many circumstances.
  3. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT): As the name suggests, MBCT integrates mindfulness practices with cognitive therapy. It's particularly effective in preventing the relapse of depression (which very common) and teaches individuals to disengage from habitual negative thought patterns that can trigger depressive episodes. MBCT fosters a non-judgmental awareness of the present moment, helping clients to recognise and alter their relationship with their thoughts and emotions. MBCT heavily emphasises the practice of mindfulness.

Accessing Third Wave CBT

Whether you're looking for "CBT London," "counselling near you," or a "CBT therapist near you," the third wave of CBT is offered through various modalities:
  1. Telephone Therapy: Ideal for those with busy schedules or limited access to in-person services, telephone therapy offers a convenient way to engage in therapy. It's particularly suited for those more comfortable with engaging in counselling from the comfort of their own home.
  2. Psychologist Online: Online therapy has surged in popularity since COVID and provides access to a wide range of specialists across the UK. Many online CBT therapists can offer third wave CBT and the nature of video conferencing software allows for a versatility and an accommodating therapeutic experience. This option is excellent for individuals seeking the convenience of receiving therapy from the comfort of their own homes.
  3. CBT London: For those in the capital, London offers a plethora of CBT specialists skilled in third wave approaches. Engaging with a therapist in-person can provide a unique feel within the therapeutic process. This can be particularly beneficial for certain individuals.

Choosing the Right Approach for You

When selecting a third wave CBT approach, consider the specific issues you're facing and what you hope to achieve through therapy. Each modality offers unique tools and perspectives, so understanding your personal goals and challenges can help you find a suitable third wave approach.
  1. Consult with Professionals: Don't hesitate to discuss different therapy options with potential therapists. Understanding their expertise in third wave of CBT can help you make an informed decision.
  2. Research: Educate yourself about the various third wave CBT approaches to better understand what each entails and how they might address your needs.
  3. Trial Sessions: Many therapists offer initial consultations or trial sessions, providing an opportunity to understand whether the therapist you are talking to is a good fit.
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Conclusion

The third wave of CBT offers innovative methods to address your problems. Third wave therapies integrate traditional techniques with mindfulness and acceptance-based strategies. Whether through telephone therapy, sessions with a psychologist online, or face-to-face counselling in London, these approaches are offered through many modalities. By developing an understanding of the nuances of each third wave therapy, you can embark on a journey that is optimally tailored towards your individual needs.
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Understanding Modern Solutions: The Rise of Online and Phone Therapy

4/2/2024

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​​Our digitally connected world has accelerated through COVID the expansion of the realm of mental health support beyond traditional, in-person sessions to include online and phone therapy. These innovative approaches have gained traction quickly in that they offer increased flexibility as clients don’t need to travel, accessibility for patients in remote areas whilst offering many more varied options for individuals seeking support.

This article delves into the dynamics of telephone counselling and online therapy, comparing these methods with conventional face-to-face interactions whilst presenting the many therapeutic styles that are available remotely.


The Growing Popularity of Remote Therapy

The maturation of video conferencing software and digital phone calls has revolutionized the way we access mental health services. Online therapists in the UK and worldwide provide a range of services that mirror those offered in physical offices, making mental health support more accessible than ever. In fact, research has shown that remote psychotherapy is as effective as in-person therapy. Telephone therapy and online counselling cater to those who prefer or require remote sessions, whether due to geographical constraints, mobility issues or a preference for the privacy and comfort of their own space as this can provide an increased sense of safety
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How Do Online and Phone Therapy Work?

  1. Telephone Counselling: This type of therapy allows clients to have sessions via phone calls, offering a layer of convenience and anonymity. It's particularly beneficial for those who prefer auditory communication or wish to avoid the visual aspects of video calls. Many socially anxious clients report benefiting from this.
  2. Psychologist Online: Online therapy involves sessions conducted via video calls, chat, or email thus providing a more comprehensive platform for interaction compared to phone therapy. It allows therapists to observe non-verbal cues and offers a more personable experience, akin to traditional therapy settings. Interestingly some clients feel more self conscious using video calls whilst other feel more self conscious during in-person sessions.

Comparing Remote Psychotherapy and In-Person Therapy. Remote therapy, whether by phone or online, offers unique advantages and unique facets compared to in-person sessions:
  1. Accessibility: Online and telephone therapy breaks down geographical barriers, allowing individuals to access specialists regardless of location. This is particularly beneficial for those in remote areas or with limited mobility.
  2. Convenience: Scheduling and attending sessions can be more flexible, accommodating various lifestyles and commitments. This ease of access can encourage more consistent engagement with therapy. Therapists are also not bound by their office hours.
  3. Privacy: Some individuals appreciate the discretion offered by remote therapy, as it eliminates the possibility of encountering acquaintances at or outside of a therapist's office.

However, there are some things to consider. The lack of physical presence can affect the therapeutic relationship for some clients and therapists. Non-verbal cues are more challenging to interpret in phone therapy, and even online sessions may not fully replicate the nuances of face-to-face interaction in the same way. For certain issues or therapeutic methods, in-person sessions might be more preferred by some.
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Therapeutic Styles in Remote Settings

Remote therapy can be offered by numerous therapeutic approaches, similar to those offered in traditional settings:
  1. Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Well-suited for remote delivery, CBT focuses on identifying and altering thought and behaviour patterns in some CBT approaches, whilst others focus on addressing behaviour or the relationship one may have with their thoughts. Both phone and online modalities can effectively facilitate CBT.
  2. Psychodynamic Therapy: While traditionally reliant on the nuanced dynamics of in-person interaction, adaptations allow for psychodynamic principles to be applied in online or phone sessions whilst still focusing on unconscious processes and client-therapist relationships.
  3. Humanistic Therapies: Approaches focusing on self-development and present-moment experiences and learning from these can be adapted for remote delivery, although the lack of physical presence may challenge the depth of experiential processes.
  4. Supportive Therapy: Offering emotional support and validation, this style can be effectively conducted via any remote modality, providing clients with a sense of connection and understanding.

​Making the Right Choice

Choosing between online, telephone, and in-person therapy depends on individual preferences, needs and sometimes the nature of the issues being addressed can also play a role. When selecting online therapists in the UK or telephone counselling services, consider the following:
  • Determine your comfort level with each modality.
  • Assess whether your specific concerns can be effectively addressed in a remote format.
  • Ensure that the therapist is qualified and experienced in delivering therapy through your preferred mode.

Conclusion

As technology evolves so will approaches and delivery methods of psychotherapy. Telephone counselling and online therapy stand out as vital options, offering flexibility and accessibility to those seeking support. By understanding the unique characteristics and potential benefits of these modalities, individuals can make informed choices about their mental health care. Take your time in selecting the approach that best aligns with your preferences and therapeutic goals. Whether you connect with a psychologist online or opt for telephone therapy, the key is finding the right fit that provides the support you need in order to address your problems effectively.
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The Evolution of OCD Treating OCD: A Historical Analysis

3/26/2024

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Introduction to OCD: Early literature indicates that Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) has been a recognised psychological condition for centuries and its depiction has evolved significantly over time. Initially a predominant perspective was processed through a spiritual or moral lens, but our understanding has transformed dramatically with corresponding advancements in psychology and psychiatry. This has led to the development of more scientific and evidence-based approaches.

Historical Treatments to Modern Advances: Initially, approaches towards treating OCD were rudimentary and often misconceived and ranged from religious rituals to invasive medical procedures.  20th century advances aided in modernising the treatment and understanding of OCD initially through psychoanalysis and later due to the introduction of behavioural therapies. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) as it evolved in London emerged as a game-changer, offering a structured and empirical method to tackle OCD.

Victor Meyer's Contributions at UCL: Whilst working at University College London, Victor Meyer pioneered the technique of Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), which is a specific element within the world of CBT. By systematically exposing patients to what provokes their obsessions whilst teaching them to refrain, delay or adjust their compulsive responses, ERP offered a very effective approach in aiding the effective management of OCD.
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​The Advent of Online and Telephone Therapy: The digital age has further revolutionised OCD treatment, making it more accessible than ever. As many clients with OCD can be avoidant and not leave their own abode. OCD online therapy and telephone counselling have become vital tools to reach this client base. Allowing individuals to receive treatment from the comfort of their homes also greatly helps patients that would otherwise not seek any treatment support. Remote Therapy breaks down geographical barriers and can also facilitate the treatment of disadvantaged communities.

OCD Specialists in London: As ERP was invented in London, the city has become a hub for OCD treatment. Many specialists such as Professor David Veale and many clinics include both traditional and innovative therapies. When searching for suitable treatment, it is important to look for experts that include Meyer's ERP approach, alongside other CBT practices. London is able to offer comprehensive and personalised treatment plans for individuals with OCD, as sufferers of this condition can often present with corresponding problems such as people pleasing, perfectionism and conflict avoidance.

Staying in the Past: Although many treatment types exist that provide a spectrum of services from in-person sessions to OCD online therapy and telephone counselling, it is important to not only focus on hypothesising with a therapist why their OCD and related difficulties exist in the first place. OCD needs to be actively addressed as there is no explanatory mechanism of why OCD develops that has a sufficient evidence base.
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Conclusion: When one appreciates the early misconceptions of OCD all the way to today's advanced and nuanced treatments one can clearly notice a significant progress in mental health care. Ongoing research and the evolution of technology through new developments such as AI and Augmented Reality, future approaches for treating OCD are only going to improve. This may provide hope and improved quality of life for those affected by this challenging condition.
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Constructivism and Evolutionary Psychology

3/25/2024

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​Constructivism and evolutionary psychology are two different paradigms within psychology that investigate and try and understand human psychology, aspects within human environments such as culture and corresponding behaviours. Both can complement each other but also have fundamental differences.
Constructivism: Constructivism is a theory in psychology that emphasises the importance of individuals and how their environment and resulting experiences influence their view of the world.

It therefore suggests that people actively build their perceptions of reality based on their experiences. Constructivism has a prominent influence in fields such as Social Psychology.

Constructivist theories often focus on the importance of social and cultural factors in shaping humans and can even influence the vantage point from which research is conducted within some fields of Psychology.

Evolutionary Psychology: Evolutionary psychology (EP) is a theoretical approach that seeks to explain human behaviour and cognition in terms of the adaptive functions they served in ancestral environments (helpful adjustments to one’s environment). The era which formed human psychology is called the EEA (Era of Evolutionary Adaptedness).

EP states that many of the human behaviours and cognitive processes evolved through natural selection because of their advantageous nature.

​Evolutionary psychologists often study universal human tendencies that may have evolutionary roots, such as mate selection, parental investment and threat based processing such as a fear of predators.

These two approaches can offer different perspectives on human behaviours and don’t have to necessarily oppose each other. In fact, they can be complementary:

Constructivism can provide insights into how individuals perceive and interpret information, including how they navigate social and cultural contexts and how these in turn reinforce aspects of human nature.

Evolutionary psychology can offer explanations for why certain human tendencies (proximate and ultimate explanations) might be universal across cultures or why certain tendencies even exist in the first place.

Conflicts can arise when constructivist theories emphasise the importance of social and cultural influences and how the shape human nature, to the point of neglecting the role of evolved psychological mechanisms (nurture vs. nature). In turn some argue that evolutionary psychologists may sometimes overlook the significance of individual experiences and social context in shaping behaviour.
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Both paradigms have influenced different fields of counselling psychology and psychotherapy. Counselling has especially laid a lot of value on constructivism by trying to create narratives of how people became who they are through their environment. When looking for therapy near you, you may have a personal preference as to which paradigm you prefer.

​Styles like CBT often place a lot of value on both approaches and will include evolutionary psychology in order to for example explain threat based processing. The nature of your difficulties will often most determine which style of therapy is relevant. Not so much whether you do telephone counselling or therapy vs in-person sessions. Some like to explore their difficulties and some like to also work on them. Some require a systematic approach to address a certain problem and some don’t.

In summary, while constructivism and evolutionary psychology approach the study of human behaviour from different vantage points, they can both contribute valuable insights towards our understanding of human beings and further research may highlight how their differences are not necessarily irreconcilable.
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    I am a full time Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist (CBT) in Richmond, London.

    I am available for in-person, online and telephone therapy.

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