John Ahern
Therapies
I use a range of therapeutic approaches to help my clients heal from their pain. The direction of therapy is always guided by the individual needs of the client. We will develop a treatment plan together to ensure you are moving in a direction that suits your own personal healing.
Feel free to contact me if you are interested in finding out more about any of the following modalities could be beneficial for you.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is one of the most well-researched and effective psychological approaches for a wide range of mental health concerns. It focuses on the connection between our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. When we have unhelpful thoughts such as “I can’t go out today because I might have a panic attack” we naturally feel more anxious or hopeless, and might avoid the situation altogether. This is our brain’s way of trying to protect us from discomfort or perceived danger. However, over time, avoidance can limit our lives and make it harder to reach our goals or feel well.
CBT helps you notice and challenge these unhelpful thought patterns and gradually face the situations that matter to you, in a supported and practical way. I’ve found it especially helpful for people experiencing anxiety or depression. Sessions are structured and goal-focused, with practical strategies to apply between sessions. To get the most out of CBT, it’s important to practice strategies between sessions. If it is an approach that you would like to use, then we’ll work together to tailor it to your needs and goals.
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR is a trauma processing therapy which is recognised by the World Health Organisation and many other international health agencies as an effective treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). EMDR is increasingly being used to treat other issues such as anxiety, phobias, and addictions. EMDR is less like traditional talking therapy and more of a neurological approach to healing. It opens new channels in your mind and allows you to shift from feeling stuck into a more adaptive way of thinking.
The treatment uses bilateral stimulation (usually eye movements) to process traumatic memories with incredible speed, rapidly reducing distress and shifting negative beliefs about the memory which have often been deeply held for years.
This therapy is supported by evidence for a range of presentations, and I integrate it regularly in my clinical work - let’s discuss if it may suit your needs.
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
DBT is a mindfulness-based therapy which focuses on the development of skills to learn how to cope with emotional instability. DBT uses many skills that were developed through cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), however it expanded upon these skills with a focus on emotional and interpersonal difficulties. Originally developed for the treatment of borderline personality disorder, the skills in DBT quickly became recognised as helpful for anyone who experiences difficulties with emotional regulation.
This therapy is supported by evidence for a range of presentations, and I integrate it regularly in my clinical work - let’s discuss if it may suit your needs.
Schema Therapy
Schema Therapy helps people understand and change long-standing patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving (often rooted in early life experiences) that keep causing distress or getting in the way of relationships, goals, or self-worth. It combines techniques from cognitive behavioural therapy, attachment, and emotion-focused therapies to identify “schemas” (deep emotional themes or beliefs like “I’m not good enough” or “People will leave me”) and the coping styles that keep them going.
In Schema Therapy, we will learn to recognise when these patterns are triggered, understand their origins, and develop healthier, more compassionate ways of responding to them that enhance your verall life. Over time, this helps you feel more confident, connected, and in control of your emotional world.
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a mindfulness-based approach that helps clients build a meaningful life by accepting difficult thoughts and feelings rather than struggling with them. The process involves clarifying personal values and committing to actions that align with those values, using mindfulness skills to handle inner experiences without letting them control your life. The goal is to increase psychological flexibility so you can live a richer, fuller life.
The core message of this approach is: “Accept what is out of your personal control and commit to taking action that enriches your life”. I have found it to be useful for clients facing circumstances in their life which may not be changeable, such as the loss of a loved one or dealing with chronic health conditions that impact daily living, to name a few.