The first stage of therapy is the assessment and engagement phase in which the therapist and client work collaboratively to develop a problem list, establish goals and form a treatment plan.
Assessment is an essential part of treatment as therapy can only be successful if the problem is identified correctly. We utilise different assessment tools for varying issues and these tools include but are not limited to the GAD-7 (7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale) and the PHQ-9 (The Patient Health Quesionnaire-9 item depression scale) which are public domain scales commonly used to assess anxiety and depression. Other assessment tools include the Beck Youth Inventories of Emotional and Social Impairment (BYI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and The Clark-Beck Obsessive Compulsive Inventory (CBOCI).
Clinical psychologists specialise in a variety of therapeutic approaches, and all can be used depending on expertise, training and professional interests. We tend to prioritise Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT).
What is CBT?
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is a time-sensitive, structured, present-oriented psychotherapy which focuses on how people’s thoughts and perceptions influence the way they feel and behave.
CBT is based on the theory that the way individuals perceive a situation is more closely connected to their reaction than the situation itself. Individuals’ perceptions are often distorted and unhelpful, particularly when they are distressed. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy helps people identify their distressing thoughts and evaluate how realistic the thoughts are. Then they learn to change their distorted thinking. When they think more realistically, they feel better. The emphasis is also consistently on solving problems and initiating behavioural changes.
Why CBT?
CBT has been scientifically tested and found to be effective in more than 2,000 studies for the treatment of many different health and mental health conditions. When implemented correctly, CBT helps individuals get better and stay better.
CBT is a research-based therapeutic treatment that and has proven to help many people overcome their suffering and live more fulfilling lives. Studies show that people with depression, anxiety (including anxiety in children, social anxiety and anger management) and personality disorders who received CBT treatment got significantly better. Several research studies showed that clients who completed a CBT treatment presented a significant improvement of their disorders compared with their initial levels.
What are the primary benefits of CBT?
• Identifying thoughts or beliefs that cause your behaviours.
• Making clear goals for the future.
• Taking measures to change your actions.
• Learning ways to cope with stress, anxiety or negative feelings.
• Preventing a relapse of certain emotional responses, like depression or anxiety.