Clinical Psychology

What is a Clinical Psychologist?

Clinical psychologists are highly-trained experts who help people overcome problems with their emotions, thoughts, relationships, or behaviour. One of the best reasons to see a clinical psychologist is that we base our treatments on scientific evidence, which counsellors or life coaches may not do. Psychologists must meet strict requirements for the training and experience necessary to practise as a psychologist. Masters-level clinical psychologists train for 7-8 years.

People who use the title “Clinical Psychologist” must meet special training and experience requirements related to the assessment and treatment of people with mental health difficulties. These are additional to the requirements for being a general Psychologist.

The requirements for practising psychology are strictly regulated, and the title of Psychologist is a protected term under New Zealand law, which means it’s illegal for someone to call themselves a Psychologist if they’re not registered with the NZ Psychologists’ Board.

What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)?

CBT is a time-limited, focused, problem-solving orientated therapy. CBT is collaborative in that the client and psychologist work together to help the client to solve their problems and change problematic thoughts and behaviours.

CBT is generally concerned with the present rather than on the past. Clients who participate in CBT learn important psychological skills which help prevent their problems from recurring in the future.

There have been hundreds of scientific studies of CBT, and it’s is widely regarded as the most effective psychological treatment for depression, anxiety, and a wide range of disorders. There has been more research on CBT than any other psychological treatment.

What is Mindfulness-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (MCBT)?

MCBT blends features of cognitive behavioural therapy with mindfulness techniques. The therapy involves accepting thoughts and feelings without judgement rather than trying to push them out of consciousness. MBCT emphasises learning how to pay attention or concentrate with purpose, in each moment and, most importantly, without judgement.

Mindfulness-based CBT is intended to teach people practical skills that can help with daily and ongoing life challenges and physical and psychological health problems. MCBT is an integration of ancient understandings and the practise of mindfulness with current understanding and knowledge.

What is mindfulness and how can it help?

Mindfulness helps direct your attention through the process of observing, describing and participating from a nonjudgmental perspective. This allows for more objective, effective, and meaningful experiences in the here and now. Mindfulness is about being “fully awake” in our lives, paying attention with intention and without judgement. This accesses our own powerful inner resources for insight, transformation and healing.

Mindfulness is the development of the ability to pay deliberate attention to our experience from moment to moment, to what is going on in our mind, body, and day to day life, and doing this without judgement. Becoming more aware of our thoughts, feelings and sensations may not sound like an obviously helpful thing to do, however learning to do this in a way that suspends judgement and self criticism can have surprising results. Many people report finding inner strengths and resources that help them make wise decisions about their health and life in general.

Most of us frequently find ourselves being ‘swept away’ by the current of thoughts and feelings, worries, pressures, responsibilities and just wanting things to be different from how they are right now. This can be particularly powerful when we are faced with pain, difficulties and illness that defy all our attempts to find a solution or to feel better. Feeling stuck in this way can be draining. Mindfulness can help us to work directly with the struggle we sometimes have in relating to life’s experience and in doing so can dramatically improve the quality of our life.