Our Treatment Approaches

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR is a therapeutic approach used at Collective Care Counselling to help individuals heal from trauma, anxiety, and other distressing experiences. Through a structured protocol, clients are guided to recall traumatic memories while engaging in bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements or tactile sensations.

EMDR facilitates the reprocessing of traumatic material, leading to desensitization and the development of adaptive coping mechanisms.

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)

ERP is a specialized treatment technique utilized at Collective Care Counselling for individuals struggling with anxiety disorders, particularly Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). ERP involves gradual exposure to anxiety-provoking situations or triggers while refraining from engaging in the associated compulsive behaviours.

By breaking the cycle of avoidance and ritualistic behaviours, individuals learn to manage their anxiety and regain control over their lives.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

CBT is a widely recognized and effective therapeutic approach employed at Collective Care Counselling. It focuses on exploring the connections between thoughts, emotions, and behaviours.

Through collaborative discussions and structured interventions, clients gain insight into their maladaptive thought patterns and learn to challenge and reframe them, leading to positive behavioural changes and improved mental well-being.

Somatic Experiencing

Somatic Experiencing is a body-oriented approach used at Collective Care Counselling to address trauma and restore regulation to the nervous system.

Therapists trained in somatic experiencing help clients develop an awareness of bodily sensations, release stored trauma energy, and gradually regain a sense of safety and resilience. This approach recognizes the interconnectedness of mind and body in healing trauma

Internal Family Systems (IFS)

Internal Family Systems therapy is employed at Collective Care Counselling to explore the various parts of an individual’s internal system and cultivate self-compassion and understanding.

Through IFS, clients learn to recognize and develop a relationship with different parts of themselves, fostering integration, harmony, and healing. This approach promotes self-discovery and empowers individuals to navigate life’s challenges with increased self-awareness and self-compassion.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

DBT is a comprehensive treatment approach that combines cognitive-behavioural techniques with mindfulness practices. It is particularly effective in addressing emotion dysregulation, self-destructive behaviours, and difficulties in interpersonal relationships.

By integrating DBT into the therapeutic offerings, Collective Care Counselling can provide specialized support for individuals struggling with emotional instability and self-destructive patterns.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)

Mindfulness-based stress reduction is a well-known program that cultivates mindfulness practices to reduce stress, enhance self-awareness, and promote overall well-being.

Incorporating MBSR into services at Collective Care Counselling can provide individuals with practical tools to manage daily stressors, increase resilience, and foster a greater sense of calm and balance in their lives

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

ACT is a therapeutic approach that focuses on the acceptance of difficult thoughts and emotions while taking committed action toward one’s values and goals. It helps individuals develop psychological flexibility and live a more meaningful and fulfilling life.

By integrating ACT into the repertoire of therapeutic techniques, Collective Care Counselling can support individuals in overcoming psychological barriers and aligning their actions with their core values.

Anti-Oppressive Practice

At Collective Care Counselling, we are deeply committed to anti-oppressive practice, recognizing that individuals come from diverse backgrounds and face unique societal challenges. Our therapeutic approach actively challenges systemic barriers, including those related to race, gender, ability, and sexuality, fostering an inclusive environment where all clients can thrive. We work tirelessly to dismantle oppressive structures and promote equitable access to mental health support, ensuring that every client’s voice is heard and valued.

Intersectional Perspective

Our practice embraces an intersectional perspective, acknowledging that each client’s identity is multifaceted. We recognize the interconnectedness of various social identities and experiences, such as race, gender, sexuality, and ability, and how they intersect to shape one’s lived reality. This perspective guides our therapy, allowing us to explore the unique experiences and challenges that result from these intersections, and tailor our interventions accordingly to foster empowerment and healing.

Trauma-Informed Practice

Collective Care Counselling adopts a trauma-informed approach, providing a safe and nurturing therapeutic space for clients to explore their past experiences. We understand that many clients have faced trauma and adversity, and we prioritize sensitivity and compassion in our interactions. Our trauma-informed practices ensure that clients feel heard, validated, and supported as they navigate their healing journey.

Strengths-Based

We believe in a strengths-based approach, recognizing that every individual possesses unique strengths and abilities. Our therapy encourages clients to harness these innate qualities to overcome challenges and achieve their goals. By focusing on strengths, we empower clients to build resilience, enhance their self-efficacy, and embark on a path of self-discovery and growth.

Client-Centered Therapy

At Collective Care Counselling, we prioritize client-centered therapy, placing our clients at the heart of their therapeutic journey. We create a collaborative and empathetic environment where clients set their own goals, make choices about their treatment, and have agency in their healing process. We honour each client’s unique perspective, providing a space where they can explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences openly.

Critical Theory-Informed

Our therapy is informed by critical theories such as feminist, race, queer, and ability studies, enabling us to address the systemic issues that impact our clients. We are dedicated to challenging and deconstructing oppressive structures while advocating for social justice. Our therapists engage in critical dialogue with clients, exploring the societal context of their struggles and encouraging them to become agents of change in their own lives and communities.

Cultural Safety

Cultural safety is a cornerstone of our practice. We recognize the importance of creating an environment where clients from all cultural backgrounds feel culturally safe and respected. We engage in ongoing self-examination, seeking to understand our biases and privileges to ensure that therapy remains culturally safe. Our therapists actively listen, learn, and adapt to the diverse needs of our clients, promoting cultural safety as a fundamental aspect of our therapeutic approach. We believe that cultural safety is not only a practice but a commitment to fostering trust, respect, and inclusivity for all clients, regardless of their cultural identity.

Decolonizing Therapy

Decolonizing therapy is pivotal in our practice, addressing not just individual healing but also collective wounds. Together, we challenge power imbalances, acknowledge intergenerational trauma that impacts communities, and locate strategies beyond the narrow scope of Eurocentrism. We honour diverse healing traditions, actively dismantle colonial legacies that live in the body and aim to reconnect to cultural identities. Our therapy is aimed for deep listening, validating experiences, and embracing cultural wisdom, leading to healing that is inclusive, equitable, and attuned to the nuances of historical and cultural contexts