Therapies at Essential Minds Psychology

At Essential Minds we utilise evidence based therapies to help you achieve your treatment goals, whilst also being flexible to your needs. We don’t believe in one size fits all when it comes to therapy and so that’s why we have extensive experience in a range of therapies.

Psychological Therapies

Schema therapy is an integrative form of therapy that combines elements of cognitive-behavioral, experiential, and attachment theories to help individuals identify and change deeply ingrained patterns or “schemas” that negatively impact their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It focuses on healing emotional wounds from early life experiences and helping individuals develop healthier coping mechanisms and relationships.

ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) is a form of psychotherapy that encourages individuals to accept their thoughts and feelings rather than trying to control or eliminate them. It focuses on helping people clarify their values, commit to meaningful actions, and develop psychological flexibility to cope with life’s challenges.

EMDR is a therapeutic approach used to help individuals process and heal from traumatic experiences. It involves guided eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation while the person recalls distressing memories, which helps reduce the emotional charge associated with those memories and promotes adaptive processing.

CBT is a widely used form of psychotherapy that focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors. It helps individuals develop healthier thinking habits and coping strategies to manage various mental health issues.

ERP is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy primarily used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It involves exposing individuals to anxiety-provoking situations or thoughts while preventing their usual compulsive responses, helping them learn to tolerate distress and reduce the urge to engage in repetitive behaviours.

Trauma therapy is a type of treatment designed to help individuals heal from the emotional and psychological effects of traumatic experiences. It often involves various therapeutic approaches, such as EMDR, Schema Therapy, CBT, or trauma-focused therapy, aimed at processing and resolving trauma, reducing symptoms, and improving emotional well-being.

DBT (Skills Only) focuses on teaching practical skills like emotion regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness to help individuals manage their emotions and improve coping strategies. It is a condensed version of DBT without the full therapeutic structure.

Strengths-Based Approaches focus on identifying and leveraging an individual’s strengths, resources, and positive qualities to promote personal growth and resilience. This approach emphasises building upon what works well, rather than focusing solely on problems or deficits, to help individuals achieve their goals and improve their well-being.

Mindfulness-Based Approaches focus on cultivating present-moment awareness and non-judgmental acceptance of thoughts and emotions. They help individuals manage stress, enhance emotional regulation, and promote overall well-being through practices like meditation and mindfulness exercises.

Eating Disorder Therapies

Evidence based therapies specifically targeted at the treatment of eating disorders.

Therapies include:

CBT-E is a specialised form of therapy aimed at treating eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating. It works by targeting the negative thought patterns and behaviors that drive unhealthy eating habits.

MANTRA is a therapy designed for adults with anorexia nervosa that combines cognitive and family-based approaches. It focuses on improving motivation, addressing underlying psychological factors, and promoting healthier eating habits.

FBT is a treatment approach primarily used for adolescents with eating disorders like anorexia nervosa. It involves the family taking an active role in helping the individual restore healthy eating habits and address the emotional and psychological factors contributing to the disorder.

SSCM is a therapeutic approach used for individuals with eating disorders, particularly anorexia nervosa. It combines elements of supportive psychotherapy with structured clinical management, focusing on improving the patient’s engagement in treatment, promoting weight restoration, and addressing issues related to the eating disorder

“Your mind is your most essential tool — keep it cared for”

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Contact Us

Essential Minds is conveniently located at:

1 Woodland Street, Essendon VIC 3040
and
77A Stubbs Street, Kensington VIC 3031

Phone 03 8899 8870
Fax 03 9968 9555
Email support@essentialminds.com.au

We acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Owners of the land on which our clinic stands. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and recognise their ongoing connection to this land.