Psychology Models and Approaches
Psychology methods and approaches are not only “guides” that help your psychologist understand the challenges you face, they also teach you how to effectively cope with stressful and difficult situations. A psychologist may concentrate on one specific psychology method and/or approach or he/she may use multiple methods and approaches. The purpose is to help you solve your problems so that you can live a quality life.
This article helps to de-mystify how Minds For The Future psychologists may work with you to help you overcome issues that cause you distress.
- Motivational Interviewing
Motivational interviewing is a technique that helps you to identify the need to make a change in your life. We quite often find ourselves doing things that go against what we really want, i.e. eating a full bar of chocolate, when we really want to lose weight. During sessions, your Minds For The Future psychologist will ask you questions to explore the emotional decision or dilemma you face in making a change happen. For example, ‘I know I should quit smoking but I do enjoy it’.
Your psychologist will help you develop a strong emotional case for making the change and provide you with unconditional support and guidance as you take steps to make the change you desire.
- Solution-Focused Therapy
Solution-focused therapy is a short-term psychological approach that focuses on your present and future desires, rather than on past experiences.
During sessions, your Minds For The Future psychologist will ask you to imagine the future you want. He/she will then work with you to develop realistic goals that will lead you towards your preferred outcome. The ultimate goal of solution-focused therapy is to help you set goals and utilise your strengths, abilities, skills and resources to solve your problems by concentrating on the present and future to improve your quality of life.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy helps you identify unhealthy thinking patterns so that you can evaluate the situation more clearly and react in a healthier manner. During sessions, your Minds For The Future psychologist will help you replace your negative thoughts with more positive ones, improve your problem-solving skills, adopt healthier behaviours and develop effective coping skills.
- Strengths-Based Counselling
Strengths-based counselling focuses on the positive aspects of your life. This approach teaches you how to find solutions to your current problems by examining your past and present successes. During sessions, your Minds For The Future psychologist will help identify your strengths, attributes and skills. He/she will then encourage you to use these strengths to resolve your issues.
- GROW Coaching
The GROW model is a goal-setting and problem-solving psychological model. GROW refers to: (G) Goal, (R) Reality, (O) Options and (W) Will. During sessions, your Minds For The Future psychologist will use this model to help you set realistic goals and resolve the issues that are negatively affecting your quality of life. Your psychologist may use examples (like planning a trip) to explain the model to you.
For instance: Your first step would be to decide where you want to go (your goal), your second step would be to think about your current location in regards to destination (your reality), your third step would be to determine how to reach your destination (car or plane) (your options) and your fourth step would be to make reservations and commit to\ the trip (your will to go).
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Acceptance and commitment therapy (A.C.T.) is a psychological approach that focuses on accepting the challenges of life. ACT refers to: (A) accepting your part in the situation, (C) changing your direction and (T) taking action. This approach suggests that you can improve your situation by changing the way you see yourself, others and the situation. During A.C.T. therapy sessions, your Minds For The Future psychologist will teach you how to accept responsibility for your actions and take steps to change your situation.
- Behavioural Therapy
Behavioural therapy is an action-based psychological approach that centers on the belief that you have the ability to learn from your mistakes and change your behaviours. The goal of behavioural therapy is to strengthen positive and desirable behaviors and eliminate maladaptive and undesirables ones. During behavioural therapy sessions, your Minds For The Future psychologist will examine your negative coping skills and help you to replace them with more positive and constructive ones.
- Transpersonal Psychotherapy
Transpersonal psychotherapy focuses on the connection between your body, mind, consciousness, spiritual awareness and ability to transform (change). During sessions, your Minds For The Future psychologist will encourage you to use your positive attributes, core values and beliefs to improve yourself, work through issues and reach your full-potential in life. This approach is very helpful in overcoming adversity.