My Approach
I combine a decade of Clinical Social Work experience with evidence-based treatment modalities including Clinical EFT, CBT, ACT and a variety of other Focused Psychological Strategies.
Mental Health Social Work
Accredited Mental Health Social Workers (AMHSWs) provide a unique contribution to the mental health space as they tend to focus not only on the individual, but also on their social and environmental factors. AMHSW’s are required to complete further training in the delivery of Focused Psychological Strategies, and undergo an assessment process, before they can be accredited as a mental health practitioner. AMHSW’s are recognised providers with Medicare Australia, as well as a variety of other schemes. I am also registered to provide services under the Department of Veterans Affairs and Work Cover QLD.
I provide a holistic, person-centred service and utilise a range of therapeutic modalities in my work with people including Clinical EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness, Controlled Breathing, Progressive Muscle Relaxation and Psychoeducation.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy involves identifying and modifying thoughts, actions and emotions that are impacting negatively on your mental and physical health. Therapy can be used for a range of purposes including to better manage adversity, maximise potential, increase self-awareness, clarify thought, receive support, receive encouragement, be more accountable, cultivate peace of mind, and to cultivate depth of consciousness.
I utilise a range of therapeutic modalities to assist clients to increase their self-acceptance and self-confidence, and to diminish their unhelpful thinking or limiting beliefs. Therapy is adapted to suit the individual’s goals, belief systems, and communication style. Treatment modalities I routinely use with clients include:
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Clinical EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques)
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
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Psychoeducation
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Progressive Muscle Relaxation
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Mindfulness
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Controlled breathing
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Interpersonal Therapy
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Skills Training
Clinical EFT
EFT stands for Emotional Freedom Techniques and is also commonly referred to as ‘tapping’. It is a brief intervention combining elements of exposure, cognitive therapy, and the somatic stimulation of acupressure points on the face and body. EFT is used in a therapy setting to release unwanted negative emotions, thoughts, or feelings such as anxiety, sadness, fear, guilt, anger and shame.
There are many forms of EFT – it can be used as both a self-help tool and as a therapeutic treatment modality. Clinical EFT refers to a form that has been validated in research studies and shown to be an evidence-based treatment. With the use of functional MRI’s and blood testing, studies have found that EFT reduces arousal in the amygdala – which plays a key role in our ‘fight or flight’ response. One symptom of arousal in the amygdala is the production of the body’s major stress hormone, cortisol. A 2012 study conducted on Clinical EFT showed a 24 % reduction in cortisol in the saliva, after just one hour of EFT (Church, Dawson, Yount, Garret, and Brooks, Audrey. “The effect of emotional freedom techniques on stress biochemistry: A randomized controlled trial.” Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease 200 (2012): 89-896).
WHAT TO EXPECT....
In EFT, a person’s unresolved negative emotions are viewed as having a significant effect on their psychology. During an EFT session, I will have you ‘tune in’ to a negative memory or thought whilst tapping on a sequence of acupressure points. The aim is to disconnect the stress response from the memory or thought. When successful, the memory remains while the ‘emotional charge’ is gone. Letting go of unwanted and repressed emotions can bring about profound and lasting personal change. EFT can be used for a variety of presenting problems including anxiety, trauma, stress, anger management, phobias, depression and PTSD as well as a variety of physical issues, such as pain.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, WE RECOMMEND THE FOLLOWING PAGES:
Evidence Based EFT. Emotional Freedom Techniques. Dr Peta Stapleton
EFT International – Association for Emotional Freedom Techniques
Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology
