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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT):

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a branch of clinical behaviour analysis. It is an empirically-based psychological intervention that uses acceptance and mindfulness strategies to increase psychological flexibility. Interventions can include seeing that images, emotions, and memories are not concrete and unchangeable, allowing unwanted thoughts and feelings to come and go without struggling with them, to become aware of the here and now, identifying personal values and setting goals that align with these values.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT):

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or CBT, is one of the most widely used interventions that aims to improve mental health by focusing on challenging and changing unhelpful cognitive (thinking) distortions and behaviours. It aims to improve both emotional regulation and coping strategies with interventions often including distraction, imagery, motivational self-talk, relaxation, finding alternative coping strategies and goal setting.

Narrative Therapy:

Narrative Therapy is founded on the idea that people's identities are made up of interacting stories. These stories are developed through personal experience and cultural context, but what is behind these stories is what interests therapists. Ultimately the aim of Narrative Therapy is to develop alternative stories to help a person locate their problem outside of themselves, rather than them being the problem.

Solution Focused Therapy:

With this approach the focus is on identifying the client's goals and exploring what life would be like if the goal was accomplished. In order to help develop effective solutions, work is done to identify times when goals were already being met and to use these 'exceptions' (or strengths) to increase or maintain current progress. Ultimately the aim is to help people identify positive directions for change in their life by bringing small successes to awareness, and supporting them to repeat their successful choices and behaviours.

The recovery model:
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​The Recovery Model's focus is on symptom reduction and to see mental difficulties as an experience rather than a disease or disorder. The therapeutic focus is client-centred, with the person considered the expert in their own life. Therapy is to be at the person's speed and is guided by how they would like to live, even with a diagnosis. Each person is supported in their cultural, spiritual and personal life to find a better way to live, and backward steps are not considered remissions. 

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