Therapy
‘As One’ Therapy @ Systemisk is the holistic approach to wellness through 1:1 or group-based therapy sessions. We offer a variety of therapeutic approaches and therapies which are always tailored towards the client’s needs (formulation-led). They also accommodate the client’s interests to support a sense of safety (by feeling comfortable / interested in a specific task or approach) and motivation to engage (more inclined to remain committed to the therapeutic process when it can become difficult – addressing the distress - if there is a focus on a task or approach that is enjoyable).
Different types of therapeutic approaches offered through
‘As One’ Therapy @ Systemisk
Traditional therapeutic approaches
We are trained in a range of different therapeutic approaches including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), Mentalisation Based Therapy (MBT) amongst others. All our therapy is client-centred and needs-led, to offer you a bespoke therapy experience relevant to your needs.
There is no expectation that you need to know your therapeutic needs, nor the therapeutic approach that would be right for you; that is our job to help you understand and navigate. All therapy approaches will be explained to you in more detail during the assessment stage, and a joint agreement made as to the therapy most suited to you. We offer a free 20 minute consultation to support you in identifying your needs and will subsequently make suggestions and recommendations on the right service for these needs. This is a complimentary service, with no obligation to proceed if you do not wish to do so.
Ecotherapy
Ecotherapy is a therapeutic approach that involves doing outdoor activities in nature. The focus is on doing the activity, rather than on the therapy. By the primary focus being the task, and secondary focus being the wellbeing work, the process is experienced as less threatening and intense than more traditional therapeutic approaches.
This approach supports an individual’s experience of exploring and appreciating the natural world. By focusing on an external sense of safety and security, and environmental gratitude, the external flow of compassion is fostered. Over time, the experience of caring for and looking after the ‘world’ around (the green environment in which we are engaging with), we build skills for compassion that can then be reflected inward, towards the self. At this stage we increase the degree of self-reflection and directed attention on our distress (therapeutic need), whilst remaining in the same environment in which you developed a sense of safety, security and connectivity with (the green space within which you have been tasked focused). This provides a ‘grounding’ platform to support your strength and courage in addressing your fears, blocks and resistances to change and grow.
Systemisk has use of their own private, secure woodland to support the provision of such activities, so you can be safe in the knowledge that this space is protected, and you won’t be interrupted (by humans anyway!), during your dedicated therapeutic time with nature.
Animal Assisted Therapy
Animal assisted therapy is a complimentary therapy form that includes the use of animals in treatment. The focus of animal assisted therapy is to improve a client’s social, emotional and psychological connectivity; enhancing and supporting the connectedness that they have with themselves, the world and others. There are also known physiological benefits to integrating animals into a wellness approach, such as positively impacting on blood pressure and levelling of stress hormones.
‘As One’ Therapy primarily uses dogs to support the therapeutic process, however we do have access to a range of domestic and farm animals that can be integrated into a bespoke package of support. The main function of our animals’ presence during the therapeutic process is to sooth and offer comfort. Many mental health conditions, such as anxiety or depression, are due to an imbalance in the emotion systems. Often this results in our soothing system, or ‘rest and digest’ setting, being switched off or dominated by other systems. The presence of an animal, and the action of stroking that animal, engages with the soothing system, fostering a ‘safer’ internal state for the client to engage with the courageous task of turning towards their distress through the therapy process. On the whole, the goal of animal assisted therapy is to help people to cope with some of the difficult emotions that may arise through the therapeutic process, and to ensure an element of pleasure, even playfulness, within sessions from being around animals. This approach can be particularly helpful when working with children and young people.
The welfare of our animals is paramount, and their use within any therapeutic process is always routinely assessed by our dedicated animal welfare consultant, Dr Hannah Donovan-Calam (MRCVS CCAB), Vet and Behaviourist at Donovan Veterinary Behaviour Practice.