1

Counselling & Psychotherapy at the

Johnstown Therapy Centre Accreditation, Training, Understanding, Expectations,

How it can help; frequently asked questions © Anne Burke 2013

MSc., BSc., MIAHIP, MIACP, MEAPA, MIAPPC Psychotherapist/Supervisor – Practitioner of Therapeutic Play

Introduction to our Therapists and the service we can offer • Therapists Training & Accreditation • What is Psychotherapy? • What is the difference between

Counselling and Psychotherapy? • Expectations, Explaining how it might

help, Aims of Therapy • Mental Health Issues • Effectiveness and Benefits of

Psychotherapy

2

3

Professional Accreditation

• All the Therapists at the Centre are accredited with either the IACP or the IAHIP or both.

• The therapists have received extensive and professional trainings at many of the well known Psychotherapy Colleges such as Tivoli Institute, PCI College, DBS and The Institute of Creative Counselling & Psychotherapy.

4

What is Psychotherapy?

• It is a general term for many different types of talking therapies.

• At the Johnstown Therapy Centre we offer Counselling & Psychotherapy to individuals, couples, children & adolescents and Groups.

5

What’s the difference between Counselling & Psychotherapy? • There is very little difference between

Counselling & Psychotherapy • Counselling originated from a more

community based setting e.g. Addiction or Bereavement Counselling.

• Psychotherapy comes from a more Academic Background.

• Counselling is more short-term and solution focused.

6

Counselling & Psychotherapy

• Psychotherapy tends to be longer-term • Explores thoughts, behaviours, feelings,

value systems, self confidence. • The approach therapists use at the Centre

is integrative which means our work incorporates other modalities such as Psychodynamic, Gestalt, CBT, Humanistic, Art Therapy and Therapeutic Play Skills when working with children.

Why Counselling/Psychotherapy?

• Both Counselling & Psychotherapy are useful in helping you to understand how you see yourself today and how your past history or relationships may be influencing your behaviour patterns today.

• You may also be dealing with a life change, or crisis and could use some extra support in dealing with stress or anxiety.

• It can help to build confidence, resilience and increase motivation.

7

8

What should I expect?

• You will be offered an appointment with a therapist at whatever time is convenient for both you and the therapist.

• With the therapist you will explore what has brought you to therapy and what your expectations/hopes are from the therapy.

• Sessions are 50mins to 1 hr depending on the therapist

9

Why explore the past?

• If we have had a difficult childhood or suffered some kind of trauma and we did not receive a compassionate ear, or didn’t feel understood we may have assumed that this is way it has to be.

• Many people feel that they cannot be supported in their difficulties or that they have to manage on their own, and at times do not realise the many supports that are available to help..

10

Family

• Family is the first system we learn in • What we learn here about

relationships whether it is positive or negative will be brought into other areas – school, social circles, work

environments • Family work is done not to blame but

to understand.

11

Aim of Therapy

• Psychotherapy/Counselling gives you the opportunity to explore these and other issues in a safe, confidential and non-judgemental environment.

• Provides the client with the opportunity to look at how they might want to change – handling difficulties in a different way – understanding and managing their emotions – welcoming life’s challenges instead of fearing

or avoiding them.

12

Living is an Art

“Living is seen as an art. As with every art, the artist improves only through practice. Insight into the secrets of the art is gained through making mistakes. While many people learn the art of living successfully by their own efforts through the years, they can also benefit from an extra tutorial now and then.” (Emmy van Deurzen 2002: p 19)

Ref: Existential Counselling & Psychotherapy in Practice 2nd Edition

13

Mental Health Issues

• Mental Health is a serious issue in Ireland today.

• According to the World Mental Health Organisation one in four people have significant mental health problems.

• These problems if not addressed can cause a severe impact on the quality of life for the sufferer and for families.

14

Effectiveness of Psychotherapy

• Professor Alan Carr from UCD completed a Report in July 2007 on the effectiveness of Psychotherapy.

• Psychotherapy is very effective for a majority of cases with common psychological problems.

• Psychotherapy is effective for both adults and children.

• Psychotherapy alone or as a multimodal programme is effective for many problems.

Ref: The Effectiveness of Psychotherapy a Review of Research by Prof Alan Carr http://www.psychotherapy-ireland.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/executive-summary.pdf

15

Benefits of Psychotherapy • Psychotherapy has a significant medical

cost-offset. • Those who participate in psychotherapy

use less other medical services and are hospitalised less than those who do not receive psychotherapy.

• Clients who have more rapid access to psychotherapy and who spend less time on waiting lists to psychotherapy are more likely to engage in therapy.

Ref: The Effectiveness of Psychotherapy a Review of Research by Prof Alan Carr http://www.psychotherapy-ireland.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/executive-summary.pdf

16

Therapeutic Relationship

• The therapeutic alliance is the most important single common factor in psychotherapy.

• In a good therapeutic alliance the therapist is empathic and collaborative and the client is co-operative and committed to recovery. (Prof Alan Carr)

• Ref: The Effectiveness of psychotherapy a Review of Research by Prof. Alan Carr Carr) http://www.psychotherapy-ireland.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/executive-summary.pdf –

17

Who comes to Psychotherapy?

• Relationship difficulties/Separation • Loss & Bereavement issues • Stress & Anger Management • Low Self-esteem • Anxiety or Panic Attacks • People coping with a long-term illness • Suicide Intervention • Bullying • Life crisis • Mental Health

18

In Conclusion

• Psychotherapy/Counselling strives to empower the client.

• It is an opportunity to explore behaviours and assists the client in identifying changes that they may need to make.

• It is also about identifying strengths and supports that the client may not realise are there.

19

The End

• This is a quote from a 6-year old boy, whose Mum needed therapy after the death of her father.

• Jamie said to his schoolteacher, “Today, I am walking on air with my very happy face”. When asked why he said “Someone’s helping my Mummy with all the bad weather in her heart. It was making my family very cold and wet!”

Ref: Source unknown at present

20

Contact Details

Anne Burke MSc., BSc. MIACP, MIAHIP, MIAPPC, MEAPA

Director Psychotherapist/Counsellor/Supervisor/ Practitioner of Therapeutic Play Johnstown Therapy Centre, 35A Johnstown Road, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin. Phone: 01 2024837 Mobile: 086 2400 329 email: anneb@johnstowntherapy.com