Whilst traditional therapy often focuses on symptom management, Narrative Therapy framework offers a different approach by helping individuals reshape their stories about their identity and lives. We all have many stories about our lives, occurring simultaneously; we have stories about ourselves, abilities, relationships, work, interests, achievements, and failures. Often the dominant narrative is one of suffering and problems that people come to therapy with. These problem focused stories can overshadow the positive aspects of the people’s lives. I believe people are the privileged authors and have many skills, competencies, beliefs, values, commitments and abilities that will assist them to reduce the influence of problems. In therapy, my aim is to find these alternative, often hidden stories. This shift can help people to see their personal strengths, resources and values, which allows people to reclaim agency and rewrite their lives in empowering ways.

ACT is a modern and evidence-based form of psychotherapy that focuses on helping individuals embrace psychological flexibility and develop strategies for living a more meaningful and fulfilling life. ACT teaches skills to observe and accept thoughts and emotions without judgment, let go of unhelpful patterns, and engage in actions aligned with personal values. This acceptance of inner experiences helps individuals make room for painful emotions, thoughts, and memories, without being overwhelmed by them. Instead of struggling against these experiences, individuals learn to let them come and go, allowing for emotional growth. The “commitment” aspect of ACT pertains to clarifying one’s values and taking action guided by those values. In other words, it encourages individuals to engage in behaviours that align with what truly matters to them, even in the presence of discomfort or distressing emotions.

This is a more traditional psychological approach, commonly used by psychologists. It is evidence-based psychotherapy that is based on the premise that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours are interconnected. It focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviours to promote healthier coping strategies and emotional well-being.