Unlocking Healing: Why Tailored Therapy Makes All the Difference

The Importance of Counselling and the Value of Different Therapeutic Approaches

Seeking counselling can be a powerful step toward improving your emotional well-being and addressing challenges in life. Whether you're struggling with anxiety, facing relationship difficulties, dealing with trauma, or just feeling stuck, therapy offers a safe space to explore your feelings, gain insights, and develop the tools needed to move forward. However, when considering therapy, you may have noticed a range of different approaches. You might have heard about Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Gottman Method, or Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). But what do these therapies mean, and how do they help?

The truth is, no two people experience life the same way. Every individual brings their unique history, struggles, and personal strengths into therapy. This is why counsellors and psychologists use different therapeutic approaches - what works for one person might not work for another. As a counsellor, I use a range of evidence-based therapies to meet the varied needs of my clients. Whether you’re an individual navigating anxiety, a couple working through relationship challenges, or a family trying to rebuild connection, the right approach can make all the difference.

Why Do Counsellors Use Different Therapies?

Think of therapy like a toolbox. Just as a builder wouldn’t use a single tool for every job, a therapist uses different tools (or therapeutic approaches) to address the unique needs of each client. Some individuals might benefit from structured techniques that challenge negative thinking patterns, while others might need help processing trauma or navigating complex emotions. Some couples may require tools to improve communication and rebuild trust.

The key is finding the right fit for you - an approach that resonates with you and helps you reach your goals in a way that feels effective and meaningful. Different therapies are designed to target different issues, which is why a variety of options exist. Below, I’ll dive into the therapies I am trained in and explain how they can benefit different types of challenges.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Shifting Your Thought Patterns

One of the most well-known therapies is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). It focuses on the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Often, when we struggle with anxiety, depression, or low self-esteem, it’s because we have developed unhelpful thought patterns that affect the way we feel and act.

For example, if you often think "I’m not good enough" or "I’ll never succeed," those thoughts can lead to feelings of hopelessness and inadequacy. CBT helps you recognise and challenge these negative thoughts, replacing them with healthier, more realistic beliefs. This approach empowers you to change how you feel by changing how you think.

CBT is particularly effective for individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, and other emotional disorders. It provides structured strategies to help clients break free from the cycle of negative thinking and build a sense of control over their emotions. If you’ve been caught in a pattern of self-doubt or negative self-talk, CBT can help you regain confidence and feel more grounded in your emotions.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Moving Forward Despite Challenges

While CBT helps you challenge negative thoughts, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) takes a different approach. Instead of fighting against difficult emotions, ACT teaches you how to embrace them and move forward with your life despite them.

If you've ever found yourself avoiding situations due to anxiety or fear, ACT can help. It encourages you to acknowledge and accept your emotions without judgment, allowing you to focus on living a meaningful life aligned with your values. For instance, if you experience social anxiety but value connection, ACT will guide you to take small steps toward engaging with others, even in the presence of fear.

ACT is particularly useful for individuals who struggle with avoidance behaviors or those who are experiencing difficult emotions, such as grief or anger. It helps people move forward in their lives without waiting for their feelings to “go away,” which can often lead to prolonged suffering.

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT): Healing After Trauma

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is a highly effective, evidence-based treatment for those who have experienced trauma, particularly in the case of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This therapy helps individuals process and reframe painful memories and experiences.

CPT works by helping individuals identify unhelpful thoughts related to the trauma - such as feelings of guilt, shame, or self-blame - and replace them with healthier, more balanced perspectives. The therapy typically lasts 12 sessions and involves understanding the trauma’s impact on your life, processing the pain, and shifting distorted thoughts that keep you stuck in the past.

If you've experienced a traumatic event and find it difficult to move on because of overwhelming guilt or shame, CPT can help you reframe your experience and free yourself from these burdens. By working through these painful memories, you can begin to heal and regain a sense of control over your life.

Gottman Method Couples Therapy: Strengthening Relationships

Relationships can be complex, and even the strongest partnerships go through difficult periods. If you and your partner find yourselves stuck in negative cycles, arguing frequently, or feeling disconnected, the Gottman Method can offer a structured approach to improving your relationship.

The Gottman Method, developed by Dr. John Gottman, is grounded in decades of research on what makes relationships thrive. It helps couples break free from destructive patterns of behavior and communication, focusing instead on fostering emotional intimacy, improving communication, and rebuilding trust. One of the key components of the Gottman Method is identifying the “Four Horsemen” of relationship breakdown: criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling. By addressing these behaviors, couples can start to communicate more effectively and strengthen their bond.

Whether you’re struggling with constant arguments, a lack of emotional connection, or trust issues, Gottman Therapy provides tools and strategies that can help you rebuild and strengthen your relationship.

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT): Creating Secure Connections

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is another powerful approach for couples, individuals, and families seeking to improve their emotional connection. EFT focuses on understanding and addressing the deeper emotions behind surface-level issues.

If you and your partner or a significant other feel distant or disconnected, EFT helps uncover the underlying emotions that are driving your behavior. It encourages each person to express their feelings in a safe and supportive environment, fostering empathy and understanding. By creating a secure emotional bond, EFT helps individuals feel more connected and supported in their relationships and within themselves.

EFT is not only for couples but can also be beneficial for families or individuals seeking to improve their emotional resilience and connection with others. It’s especially effective for those who feel emotionally distant or who struggle to express vulnerability in relationships.

Why Having Different Therapy Options Matters

The value of having different therapy options cannot be overstated. Each individual is unique, and their struggles are often multifaceted. That’s why no single therapeutic approach is appropriate for everyone. Some clients may need a structured strategy, while others might benefit from more open-ended approaches focused on acceptance or emotional expression.

As a counsellor, my goal is to provide a therapy that fits your needs. If you’re someone who needs structured techniques to manage anxiety or negative thinking, CBT or CPT might be the right fit. If you’re struggling with grief or avoidance behaviors, ACT can help you move forward. For relationship or family challenges, Gottman or EFT can help you rebuild communication and intimacy.

Each therapy is evidence-based, meaning it has been thoroughly researched and proven effective in addressing specific struggles. Whether you’re facing trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, or simply need help navigating life transitions, there is a therapeutic approach designed to support you.

Taking the First Step: Beginning Your Counselling Journey

Starting therapy can feel daunting, but it’s important to remember that therapy isn’t about “fixing” you - it’s about supporting you in reconnecting with yourself and your goals. The first step is simply reaching out, whether that’s through a phone call or online appointment. Together, in session, we can explore your unique challenges and identify the therapy that best suits your needs.

You don’t have to navigate life’s challenges alone. Whatever you’re facing - therapy at counselling Redlands or online marriage counselling Australia can provide the support and guidance you need to move forward. I’m here to help you find the right approach and support you in your journey toward healing and growth.

Appointments are available in-office, over video, or by phone - whichever method feels most comfortable for you. If you're ready to take the first step, I’m here to support you in moving toward a healthier, more fulfilling life.

 Debra Bragança is a registered Counsellor with The Australian Counselling Association and works with both adults and couples impacted from trauma, anxiety, chronic illness, depression and relationship issues, including affairs and betrayals.

She is trained in a number of evidence-based therapies including CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), CPT (Cognitive Processing Therapy), ACT (Acceptance & Commitment Therapy), Emotionally Focused Therapy for Individuals, Couples & Families (EFT), Gottman Couples Method Therapy, including Affair & Trauma Recovery And Certification in Clinical Trauma.