Animal Assisted Therapy

Animal Assisted Therapy, EMDR, Focusing, Gestalt Therapy

Animal-assisted therapy uses animals, and dogs in particular, to improve cognitive and emotional functioning. Animals help to build a report between the therapist and the patient, and can include domesticated pets and farm animals.

During the first stages of animal-assisted therapy, the therapist will assess the client's needs without animals present. The animal is only introduced once the therapist has developed a treatment plan.

The next stage involves a bond being developed between the client and the animal through motor skills. The animals are used to motivate the client, and to create positive interactions that can be translated into human interaction.

The therapist will monitor improvement and once a positive interaction is established between the client and the animal, the client is given independence in making choices for their partner in Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) therapy.

If you are looking for a counsellor who offers Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) therapy, please browse our list of practitioners below..

EMDR, also known as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy uses a range of processes to address the full clinical situation. Dual stimulation is one of the key elements and the therapist will use tools such as bilateral eye movements, taps or tones.

Reprocessing involves the client momentarily attending to triggers, past memories or anticipated future events, all the while focusing on the supplied external stimulus. Normally, the client will experience memory changes, new associations and insights. EMDR has been found to be incredibly useful for processing past and present trauma that can continue to impact an individual in many ways.

There are eight phases to EMDR treatment and the therapist will devise a treatment plan during the first phase, and equip the client with the necessary coping skills in the second phase. Phases 3-6 cover the actual EMDR treatment, described above. Phase 7 is about closure, while phase eight is all about re-evaluation of the process.

If you are looking for a therapist who offers EMDR Therapy, please browse our list of practitioners below..

Focusing is all about body sense - the structural component of a human being. It teaches the client to become fully aware of body and mind interactions, and the effects those collisions have on his or her life experience.

This fascinating therapy involves focusing on the body-mind relationship, which, at first, is not easy. Through focusing, the client will begin to feel a shift as the body starts to address the issue, and answers arrive for handling situations.

Focusing can bring about the gift of self-healing in terms of psychological issues within fewer than ten focusing sessions. It can treat a range of issues, from minor behaviour or personality issues, to severe cases of child abuse. Couples can experience fascinating changes in listening skills through focusing, too.

If you are looking for a therapist who offers Focusing, please browse our list of practitioners below..

Gestalt Therapy helps clients to understand the connection between their physical bodies and emotional states. When a person understands their internal motivations, it is easier to understand the external behaviours and reactions. Gestalt Therapy can help a client to develop that awareness through self-discovery. It will empower a client to develop coping skills to help him or her through stressful situations.

Gestalt Therapy beliefs that we all have all the answers within us, and it can help us to develop a greater sense of acceptance, of ourselves and of other people. As such, Gestalt Therapy can help people to improve relationships, improve decision making and gain confidence. It is a useful approach for dealing with a range of psychological issues, including PTSD, addiction, anxiety, tension and depression.

If you are looking for a therapist who offers Gestalt Therapy, please browse our list of practitioners below..

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Isabella Jiang

M.A., RCC
As a bilingual counsellor fluent in both English and Chinese, I offer a unique perspective that bridges Western and Chinese cultures to help clients discover their unique identities. My counselling approach is... Read more
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Feeling lost, misunderstood, stuck? I have been there. Besides being an experienced therapist, I am also a child of divorce, immigrant, wife, and mother. My own healing journey and continuing professional... Read more