Discovering the Right type of Therapy for You: Empower Your Growth with Counselling and Psychotherapy.

In the ever-evolving journey of personal and professional growth, it is essential to have the right support system in place. That's where Counselling Services come in to empower your growth and help you navigate through life's challenges with clarity, balance, and purpose.

Discovering the Right Therapy for You

Therapy is a deeply personal journey, and finding the right approach can make all the difference. Below, I’ll explore some common counselling approaches, who they may benefit, examples of issues they can address, and their pros and cons. By the end, you’ll have a clearer understanding of how therapy can support your growth, healing, and self-discovery.

Person-Centred Approach

Who It May Benefit: This approach is ideal for individuals seeking a supportive, empathetic space to explore their thoughts and feelings. It’s particularly beneficial for those struggling with low self-esteem, identity issues, or personal growth. The Counsellor allows you to lead the direction of explorations, wholeheartedly believing that you are the professional of your own experience. What does this mean? It takes the approach that although we understand counselling theories on human behaviour and relationships, when it comes to your individual life, you are the most knowledgeable on it, the Master of your experience.

Examples of Issues Supported:

• Confidence building

• Navigating life transitions

• Exploring self-identity
  

Pros:

• Empowers clients to lead the therapeutic process.

• Fosters self-discovery and personal growth.

• Builds trust in your own ability to problem solve and find solutions
  

Cons:

• Some may feel that it lacks structure, as each week may be a different issue, depending on what you bring to the session.

• For those needing specific tools or techniques, this approach may be frustrating as no homework is usually given, nor specific tools, depending on the Counsellor.
  

Psychodynamic Approach

Who It May Benefit: This is a great fit for individuals looking to uncover deep-rooted issues from their past that impact current behaviours and emotions. As I am known for saying to clients and students, "your current relationships are a symptom of your childhood, whether your caregivers were present or not, that relationship, or lack of it, will play out in your dynamics today." It’s also well-suited for those interested in understanding their unconscious motivations.

Examples of Issues Supported:

• Childhood trauma

• Relationship patterns

• Emotional struggles without a clear cause
  

Pros:

• Offers profound insights into the roots of issues.

• Can lead to long-term emotional change.
  

Cons:

• Typically requires a longer-term commitment.

• May feel intense or overwhelming for some.
  

Intercultural Approach

Who It May Benefit: This approach is ideal for clients navigating the complexities of cultural identity, migration, or experiences of discrimination.

Examples of Issues Supported:

• Struggles with cultural assimilation

• Intergenerational family conflict

• Racism and microaggressions
  

Pros:

• Acknowledges and integrates cultural influences.

• Creates a safe space for culturally sensitive discussions.
  

Cons:

• Requires a therapist skilled in cultural competency, which may limit availability. Therefore, it's ok to ask a Counsellor if they are trained within Intercultural therapy, or at least use it within their practice.
  

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Who It May Benefit: CBT is highly effective for individuals dealing with specific, goal-oriented issues like anxiety, depression, or phobias. It is used a lot within the NHS due to its evidence-based outcomes and short-term therapy approach. It is evidence-based due to the use of outcome tools such as questionnaires to check progress and the ability to track outcomes due to the concerns it works with. For example, a client with a fear of flying is able to report success if they are then able to successfully board an aeroplane.

Examples of Issues Supported:

• Social anxiety

• Negative thought patterns

• Managing obsessive-compulsive behaviours
  

Pros:

• Evidence-based and structured.

• Provides practical tools for immediate application.
  

Cons:

• Focuses on present issues and may not address underlying causes in great depth.

• Requires active participation and homework.
  

Inner Child Work

Who It May Benefit: This approach benefits those who recognize how unmet childhood needs or past wounds influence their current life.

Examples of Issues Supported:

• Healing childhood trauma

• Developing self-compassion

• Breaking patterns of self-sabotage
  

Pros:

• Deeply healing and transformative.

• Encourages self-awareness and self-compassion .

Cons:

• Emotionally intense and may require readiness to face past pain.
  

Trauma Therapy

Who It May Benefit: Trauma therapy supports individuals recovering from single-event or complex trauma, including PTSD.

Examples of Issues Supported:

• Recovery from abuse or accidents

• Coping with loss or grief

• Managing triggers and flashbacks
  

Pros:

• Addresses both emotional and physical symptoms of trauma.

• Can significantly improve quality of life.
  

Cons:

• Progress can feel slow due to the complexity of trauma, but it does not mean change is not being made.

  
  

  IERA-Therapy (Integrative Epigenetic Relational Approach)

  
  

  Who It May Benefit: IERA-Therapy supports individuals and families experiencing relationship breakdowns and the effects of intergenerational trauma (repeated behavioural and/or situational cycles within families, such as divorce, isolation, anxiety etc). This can be from a single-event or unconscious family patterns passed down through family dynamics and unspoken rules of love and engagement.

  
  

  Examples of Issues Supported:

  • Identity issues

  • Low Self-esteem

  • Managing triggers, anxiety and flashbacks

  • Developing healthy Boundaries and self-awareness

    
    

  Pros:

  • Addresses both emotional and physical symptoms of trauma.

  • Can significantly improve quality of life and encourage developing healthier relationships.

  • Raises awareness of intergenerational trauma and its effects on present relationships and your sense of self.

  • Acknowledges the social and political factors that cause trauma. IERA-Therapists train in anti-discriminatory practice, identifying their own positioning within society and its impact on therapy.

  • Working with a Therapist who has done deep work to better understand themselves, in order to support you in understanding yourself. (Certified IERA-Therapists have had to undergo their own trainining in identifying and working through their own trauma, before becoming IERA-Practitioners. This working to encourage self-aware Therapists who are guided to separate their own biases and trauma from their client work.)

    
    

  Cons:

  • You have to actively do the work - whether it be exercises, role-plays or sitting with discomfort, it is a proactive therapy approach, supporting you in making change.

  • Progress can feel slow due to the complexity of trauma, but it does not mean change is not being made.

    
    

Developmental Approaches to the Therapeutic Relationship

Who It May Benefit: These approaches are for individuals who want to explore how their early relationships impact their current dynamics.

Examples of Issues Supported:

• Attachment issues

• Building healthier relationships

• Understanding personal triggers
  

Pros:

• Offers deep insight into relational patterns.

• Helps clients build secure and healthy connections.
  

Cons:

• Requires commitment and a safe, trusting therapeutic relationship.

Somatic Therapy

Who It May Benefit: Somatic therapy is ideal for individuals who experience stress, trauma, or anxiety that manifests physically in their bodies.

Examples of Issues Supported:

• Chronic stress

• Trauma recovery

• Mind-body connection and healing
  

Pros:

• Focuses on physical and emotional integration.

• Helps release trauma from within the body
  

Cons:

• May feel unfamiliar or uncomfortable for clients new to body-based therapies.
  

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

Who It May Benefit: DBT is particularly effective for individuals struggling with intense emotions, self-harm, or borderline personality disorder.

Examples of Issues Supported:

• Emotional dysregulation

• Self-destructive behaviours

• Interpersonal conflicts
  

Pros:

• Provides practical skills for managing emotions and relationships.

• Structured and evidence-based.
  

Cons:

• Requires commitment to skill practice outside of sessions.

• Can feel intense for those new to therapy.
  

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

Who It May Benefit: EMDR is a highly effective approach for individuals processing trauma or distressing memories. It involves working with a Therapist trained to support you in making specific eye movements while therapeutically talking about experiences. These eye movements help to reframe the event in our brains, lessening and/or removing the heavy emotional experiences involved in the memory.

Examples of Issues Supported:

• PTSD

• Childhood trauma

• Phobias and anxiety
  

Pros:

• Can produce rapid and lasting results.

• Reduces the intensity of traumatic memories.
  

Cons:

• May bring up strong emotions during sessions.

• Requires a trained and experienced practitioner.

Family Therapy

Who It May Benefit: Family therapy is ideal for families experiencing conflict, communication breakdowns, or major life transitions.

Examples of Issues Supported:

• Parent-child conflicts

• Coping with divorce or separation

• Strengthening family bonds
  

Pros:

• Focuses on improving communication and relationships within the family.

• Provides a supportive and non-judgmental environment for everyone involved.
  

Cons:

• Requires full participation from all family members.

• Progress can vary depending on family dynamics.
  

Couples Therapy

Who It May Benefit: Couples therapy is perfect for partners seeking to improve their relationship, navigate challenges, rebuild trust, or before embarking on marriage.

Examples of Issues Supported:

• Communication issues

• Infidelity recovery

• Pre-marital counselling
  

Pros:

• Enhances communication and understanding between partners.

• Can strengthen the emotional connection.
  

Cons:

• Requires commitment and honesty from both partners.

• Progress may depend on mutual willingness to change.

Addiction Therapy

Who It May Benefit: Addiction therapy supports individuals battling substance use, behavioural addictions, or co-occurring mental health issues.

Examples of Issues Supported:

• Substance dependency

• Gambling addiction

• Internet or social media addiction
  

Pros:

• Provides tailored strategies for recovery.

• Can address underlying causes of addiction.
  

Cons:

• Requires ongoing effort and accountability.

• Relapse can be part of the recovery process, requiring resilience.

So, there you have it. There are lots of different types of therapy, this is just a conduced list of the main ones I either use, have personal experience with, or have knowledge about, but there are some others that are just as worthy, depending on your needs.

The decision to start therapy can be a big one, so the main thing is that you find a Counsellor, Psychotherapist or Psychologist that you gel well with. For most Humanistic Counsellors, we believe that the therapeutic relationship between the Client and the Counsellor is the therapy - the needed environment and therapeutic relationship to begin exploring and having your needs met.

Are you ready to start your journey? Let's talk.

As a skilled and compassionate integrative Counsellor, I offer a blend of the Person-centred, Psychodynamic, Intercultural, CBT, Inner-child and Trauma therapy, these approaches individualised to suit your unique needs. My goal is to provide a safe and supportive space where you can explore your challenges, uncover insights, and develop strategies for meaningful change. Whether you’re looking to heal from trauma, manage stress, or navigate life’s transitions, I’m here to help.

I work internationally, online, ensuring accessibility and convenience. Let’s take the first step together. Book a free 15-minute consultation today through my website to see how we can create a plan tailored to your journey.

Book your Free initial Consultation | Equilibrium Coach here.

Who is Novena-Chanel?

Novena-Chanel, also known as The Equilibrium Coach, is a registered Counsellor, Clinical Supervisor, Counselling and Psychotherapy Lecturer, Life Coach, Researcher, Writer, Yoga Teacher, Reiki Master and Keynote Speaker. Novena-Chanel offers a range of services tailored to individuals and professionals seeking to embark on a path of healing and success.

Specializing in Epigenetics and Generational Trauma, as well as Intercultural Therapy, Identity, and Neurodivergence, Novena-Chanel provides a unique and holistic approach to Counselling and Life Coaching. Whether you are facing personal hurdles, seeking guidance in your career, or looking to explore your identity and cultural background, Novena-Chanel's expertise can support you in achieving your goals. Through personalized sessions and workshops, clients can uncover underlying issues, gain insights into their behaviours, and develop strategies for growth and self-improvement.