Afirah Azmi

Integrative therapy combines ideas and methods from different therapeutic approaches, chosen to suit you and what you bring. Rather than following one model, the therapist adapts the work as it goes along. This flexibility can help when needs change over time.

Body-oriented and somatic therapies work with the body as well as the mind: breathing, posture, movement and physical sensations. Feelings and experiences often show up in the body, and paying attention to them can help release tension and settle stress. They are often used for stress, anxiety and the after-effects of trauma.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is a structured method for working with distressing memories. While you briefly bring a memory to mind, the therapist guides you through bilateral stimulation such as eye movements or taps, which can help the memory feel less intense. It is best known for its use after traumatic experiences.

Trauma-focused therapy is a family of approaches designed for the effects of frightening or overwhelming experiences. Usually the work starts with feeling safer and more stable, and only then turns to the memories themselves, at a pace you can manage. It can help with flashbacks, fear, numbness and other after-effects of trauma.

Psychodynamic therapy explores how earlier experiences, and feelings you may not be fully aware of, shape your life today. Patterns that show up in your relationships, and sometimes in the relationship with the therapist, become something to understand together. It is often used for recurring difficulties with mood, relationships and self-esteem.

Systemic and family therapy looks at difficulties in the context of the relationships around you: your family, partner, work or friends. Patterns between people, rather than one person alone, become the focus of the work. It can be used with individuals, couples and whole families.

Relational therapy sees wellbeing as closely tied to our relationships. The relationship with the therapist itself becomes a place to notice patterns and try new ways of connecting. It suits people who want to understand how they relate to others and why some situations keep repeating.

Internal Family Systems (IFS) sees the mind as made up of different “parts”, such as a part that worries, a part that protects or a part that feels hurt. Getting to know these parts with curiosity and compassion can ease inner conflict. The aim is a calmer, more balanced relationship with yourself.