ACT has developed from the better known Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT). It helps people to lead rich and meaningful lives by understanding what really matters to them and working to match their behaviour to these values. This involves learning to relate to unhelpful thoughts and feelings in a different way so that they don’t hijack your life and keep you stuck in patterns which hold you back from being the person you want to be. This approach uses experiential techniques as well as traditional “talking therapy” approaches. Learning new skills to help manage difficult thoughts and feelings may also be relevant. ACT is founded on a compassionate approach to relating to people and finding solutions that work for the individual and their particular context. Compassion is one of my core values and my area of academic interest and research. This is one of the reasons the ACT model is my preferred approach. In addition, ACT has been shown to be effective in treating a wide range of mental health conditions but, because it is process based, it is applicable to people without diagnosed mental health conditions too. This means it also works well in a coaching context and meshes well with Positive Psychology approaches.
My job as a Positive Psychology Coach is to see you as you truly are and to work with you to help you flourish as the person you really want to be, as far as possible, living the life you choose.
Positive Psychology Coaching promotes psychological wellbeing with an approach that is client-centred, professional, ethical and science-based. It focuses on individual strength development, self-determination, building positive solutions and seeking meaning in life.
The science of Positive Psychology examines the factors which help people truly flourish in life rather than concentrating on mental ill-health. Traditionally psychology and associated therapies have focused on strategies to help people feel “less worse” without helping them learn the skills to really thrive in life. Positive Psychology suggests you need to do both.
This does not mean simply focusing on the positive. We need to understand and adapt to the important messages that difficult emotions give us. However, we can simultaneously learn to enhance the things that make us, as individuals, thrive. This balance promotes resilience, helps us cope with the challenging aspects of life and underpins enduring wellbeing.
My client-centred approach seeks to facilitate flourishing through the development of a collaborative relationship, as a basis to pursue individually tailored solutions, with the help of various Positive Psychology techniques.
Whether you are facing profound challenges in your life or simply feel that you are missing zest, direction and meaning, the science of Positive Psychology has empirically validated approaches that can help.
I help adults develop emotional flexibility and connect with their strengths and values, so they can manage life’s difficulties better and do the things that help them feel life is enjoyable and meaningful.