About Therapeutic Approaches

Therapeutic Approaches

At SafeGround Psychology, we use an integrative approach that combines the following therapeutic approaches to provide comprehensive and compassionate support for clients.

Compassion Focused Therapy

Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) is a psychological approach developed by Paul Gilbert that combines techniques from cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) with concepts from evolutionary psychology, social psychology, and neuroscience. The core idea is to help individuals cultivate self-compassion to alleviate distress and foster emotional healing, especially in those who struggle with shame and self-criticism.

CFT emphasises the importance of developing three types of emotional regulation systems:

  1. Threat System (related to anxiety, anger, and fear),

  2. Drive System (related to motivation and achievement), and

  3. Soothing System (related to care, safety, and contentment).

The therapy aims to balance these systems, especially by activating the soothing system through practices like mindfulness, compassionate imagery, and self-kindness. CFT is particularly effective for individuals with high levels of self-criticism, shame, or those who have experienced trauma, as it helps them build inner warmth, safeness, and emotional resilience. CFT can be beneficial in finding compassion for parts that are perhaps difficult to accept , but require acknowledgement and understanding.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is approach that helps individuals struggling with distressing thoughts, emotions, or behaviours—including those related to difficult attractions or actions—find a path toward healing and growth. ACT encourages clients to accept their inner experiences rather than trying to fight, avoid, or control them. By doing so, clients can reduce internal conflict and develop a sense of peace.

ACT focuses on six key areas:

  1. Acceptance – Instead of resisting painful thoughts or feelings, we help clients learn to make space for them, allowing healing to happen naturally.

  2. Cognitive Defusion – Clients learn to step back from their thoughts and observe them without judgment, reducing the power those thoughts hold.

  3. Being Present – Mindfulness techniques are used to help clients stay grounded in the present, reducing the intensity of past regrets or future anxieties.

  4. Self-as-Context – We guide clients to understand that their thoughts and feelings don’t define them, but are only a part of their larger, more complex self.

  5. Values – Clients identify what truly matters to them, focusing on living in alignment with their core values, even when facing challenging thoughts or urges.

  6. Committed Action – We support clients in taking meaningful steps toward their values, building a life that reflects who they want to be, despite difficulties.

ACT encourages individuals to focus on what matters most in life, rather than getting caught up in internal struggles, thereby helping them live more meaningful and purpose-driven lives. It’s particularly effective for a wide range of psychological issues, including anxiety, depression, and chronic pain, as well as distressing or concerning sexual attractions or behaviours.

Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a trauma-focused therapy that helps individuals process distressing memories so they no longer cause emotional distress. Developed by Francine Shapiro, EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements or tapping) while the individual recalls traumatic memories. This process helps the brain reprocess the memory in a way that reduces its emotional intensity.

EMDR is effective for treating trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and other emotional challenges. Over time, it helps individuals feel less triggered by past experiences, allowing them to heal and move forward with greater emotional resilience.

At SafeGround Psychology, EMDR is used to help clients who are dealing with distressing or traumatic memories that contribute to their struggles with thoughts, behaviours, or emotions. For clients dealing with shame, past trauma, or unwanted attractions, EMDR can be especially useful in reducing the emotional impact of these memories. This allows clients to feel less triggered, more in control of their responses, and able to move forward with greater emotional strength and healing.

If you want to learn more about EMDR, please access the following resources:

The basics - EMDR UK Association (emdrassociation.org.uk)

How EMDR works? Look at this animation (English) (youtube.com)

Internal Family systems

At SafeGround Psychology, Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy may be used to help clients understand and heal the different parts of themselves, especially in relation to complex feelings or behaviours. Developed by Richard Schwartz, IFS views the mind as made up of various “parts,” each with its own thoughts, feelings, and roles.

In IFS, we identify three key types of parts:

  1. Exiles – Parts that hold pain or trauma, often linked to shame or vulnerability.

  2. Managers – Parts that try to keep control and protect you from experiencing difficult emotions.

  3. Firefighters – Parts that react impulsively to distract from emotional pain or distress.

Central to IFS is the Self, which represents your core, compassionate, and wise essence. The therapy aims to help clients access this Self to foster healing and compassion for their inner parts, allowing them to feel understood and accepted.

For clients at SafeGround, IFS is particularly effective for addressing feelings of shame or internal conflict related to attractions or behaviours, guiding them toward greater self-acceptance and inner harmony.

A recommended source to learn more about IFS is Richard Schwartz book “No Bad Parts”.