A Human Approach to
Mental Health Care
Throughout the assessment and treatment process, we identify key issues and sources of distress and then use evidence-based tools to target and resolve issues. We'll design a focused approach to achieve your goals and improve your quality of life.
At Barnes Psychology, we understand that everyone is unique, and there is no 'one size fits all' approach to psychological therapy. We prioritise getting to know and treating each client based on their specific needs and preferences.
If science is the ‘engine’ of psychological therapy, compassion and empathy are the ‘oil’ that helps clients connect to the psychological processes that can drive personal change. At Barnes Psychology, our goal is to customise and provide a high-quality, compassionate service that caters to each client's unique needs.
Your Treatment Options
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT is a new-generation approach to helping people overcome psychological distress. There is growing evidence suggesting that ACT is effective in helping with many common psychological issues, especially depression and anxiety. ACT uses a behavioural approach to help people to live in the present and take effective action. Even when the mind continues to generate unhelpful and distressing thoughts, memories and images about the past or the future, ACT teaches how to focus on important values and goals and then act effectively in each situation. ACT also uses mindfulness to help clients be present in each moment and exercise self-compassion. Clients learn how to get some psychological distance from problems and unhelpful patterns of behaviour by developing greater psychological flexibility and building life-enhancing patterns of behaviour.
For more information about ACT visit Contextual Psychology.
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
CBT, or cognitive-behavioural therapy, is a widely recognised psychological framework based on the notion that individuals suffer not because of the events they encounter but because of their detrimental and unproductive thoughts surrounding these events. Consequently, psychological distress arises from the persistent use of dysfunctional thoughts, negative core beliefs, and unhelpful actions across many scenarios. CBT presents a variety of scientifically validated therapies designed to address an extensive array of psychological concerns and mental health challenges. It stands as a rational and pragmatic method aimed at addressing emotional difficulties through the alteration of thought patterns and behavioural responses.
For more information about CBT visit Australian Association for Cognitive Behaviour Therapy.
Schema Therapy
Schema Therapy is another kind of CBT (see above). In Schema Therapy, the client and psychologist ‘deep dive’ into the client’s childhood and past experiences to uncover and understand the nature and origin of their unhelpful and deep-rooted negative core beliefs. Therapy is specifically tailored to address these core beliefs at an emotional level and enable the client to find release from the past and live more effectively in the present day.
Inter-Personal Therapy (IPT)
IPT focuses on the dynamics of relationships, social roles and interpersonal interactions and the effect these have on mood and psychological functioning. The client focuses on a specific problem area, such as a dysfunctional relationship, an interpersonal dispute (with a family member, friend or co-worker), or a problematic role transition (losing a loved one, retirement or divorce). The aim of IPT is to improve interpersonal relationships and/or effectively manage expectations about them. Clients also work on building and utilising their social support network to improve coping abilities.