ADULTS
Kirstin aims to help adults gain insight into the causes of their current difficulties. She uses a number of different therapeutic approaches (cognitive behavioural therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, schema therapy) with adults which are based on scientific research that has found that our thoughts impact our emotional experiences. She works with adults to help them to better understand and navigate their internal world to give them greater peace, clarity and clearer direction. Kirstin is able to provide assessment and treatment for the following difficulties:
Anxiety
Anger
Stress
Sleep difficulties
Depression
Self-harm
Sleep difficulties
Work stress
Bullying
Obsessive compulsive disorder
Grief and loss
Coping with divorce
Relationship difficulties
Family stress
Burnout
Worrying
WHAT CAN ADULTS EXPECT
Many people are anxious about attending therapy as they are unsure whether what they have seen on t.v. where the “patient” lies on the couch and talks to the therapist is going to happen to them. Even without this view of therapy, for many people therapy is a new and anxiety provoking experience. The following information is aimed at relieving some of that anxiety. Firstly Kirstin will not ask you to lay on the couch. When you arrive you will be asked to complete a questionnaire asking you about how you have been feeling in the past week. Kirstin will also ask you to write down what you would like to gain from the process of therapy. Some people are very clear about what they want, others are less clear. In the first appointment Kirstin will ask you a lot more questions than she would normally ask in a therapy appointment. This will help her to get a good understanding of your life and your concerns. The first appointment is an opportunity for Kirstin to get to know you and for you to get to know Kirstin. There may not be many practical strategies that come from the first appointment, however most people find it relieving to tell their stories and to not be given “advice” too quickly. At the end of the first appointment Kirstin will discuss what she thinks may be helpful for you. Normally Kirstin will start seeing people weekly and then space the appointments as therapy progresses. In some instances she sees people less frequently. The number of appointments varies depending on the nature of the difficulties for which you are seeking help.