Over decades, CBT has become the most well-known 'evidence based' Psychological Therapy for the widest range of commonly presenting mental health conditions facing adults. This includes most anxiety and mood disorders as well as other less common or more severe conditions. It can help people with (or without) a mental health condition to change unwanted behaviours, find a new way of thinking or 'mindset', better manage stress, solve common life problems and adjust to personal personal challenges or changes / transitions.
CBT takes into account our external circumstances, behaviors, bodily and inner experiences (including thoughts and emotions). It combines strategies to solve external problems, change thinking patterns, and alter coping behaviours in order to improve emotional and physical wellbeing. CBT is readily adaptable and tailored specifically to the particular needs of each individual client. There is no "one size fits all" approach!
DBT is specifically designed to target emotional sensitivity, intensity and changeability. At high levels this 'emotional dysregulation' can result in problematic impulsive behaviour, disrupt thinking, impair communication / damage relationships and create confusion about self-identity.
DBT is often delivered in a combination of both individual and group therapy sessions with an initial focus on achieving greater stability by learning / strengthening four main skill areas (core mindfulness skills, emotional regulation skills, distress tolerance skills, and interpersonal effectiveness skills). These skills are broadly applicable in most areas of everyday life, and may also be beneficial in enhancing coping and resilience for many people (regardless of diagnosis). So while DBT best known as a treatment with proven effectiveness for people with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), it is also increasingly known as an approach for people with other complex problems.
COMING SOON!! RO-DBT is a novel treatment with emerging evidence for helping people experiencing difficulties of extreme 'overcontrol' (OC). Chronic depression, obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, and anorexia nervosa are just a few examples of conditions where 'overcontrolled' coping styles and behaviours are often present.
'Overcontrol' (at high levels) can contribute to a range of problems such as difficulty coping with change, difficulty handling feedback, reduced flexibility, excessive need for structure / routine, low emotional awareness / expressiveness, perfectionism, overconcern about risk... and more.
OC can (over time) contribute to insufficient social connectedness and intimacy, feeling lonely and different from others, high levels of envy or bitterness, reduced levels of empathy and / or other difficulties.
RO-DBT differs from the original DBT in several ways including a focus upon skills to modify 'social signalling' and behaviours that interfere with social connectedness.
There is no "one size fits all" Our wide range of therapy options and wellbeing services include:
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Schema Therapy (ST)
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
DBT Prolonged Exposure (DBT PE)
Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC)
...and more!
Some of these approaches overcome limitations of older treatments or target specific conditions. Many strategies can also help promote personal growth and development in otherwise healthy individuals.
An initial assessment session is the best way for us to help you choose the best approach for you. Contact us if you'd like more information about our service options.
Amanda Burlock is Director and Principal Psychologist at Life Answers Pty Ltd.
Amanda has worked as a Psychologist with AHPRA endorsement in Clinical Psychology for more than 20 years. Her career includes roles in government and non-government services, community-based settings, inpatient settings and charitable organisations. She has worked in the mental health, health and disability sectors and has been exclusively in private practice for more than 10 years.
In order to better help clients reach their full potential, Amanda has pursued advanced training in a range of Psychological Therapies including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RO DBT), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC), Schema Therapy (ST), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) and other approaches.
Amanda has extensive experience in providing individual and group-based Psychological therapy, clinical lecturing and clinical supervision. She also has extensive experience in providing providing professional education and training seminars / workshops / conferences for other professionals (in mental health, medical and allied health) at all experience levels.
Amanda is an AHPRA 'Board Approved Supervisor', Clinical Lecturer at University of Adelaide, and Fellow of the APS College of Clinical Psychology. She has previously held leadership roles in the AACBT (at State and National levels) and volunteered in the APS College of Clinical Psychology (SA Branch executive committee).
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