Ilva Gobniece

Art therapy uses drawing, painting, sculpting and other art forms as a way to express and explore feelings. You don’t need any artistic skill: what matters is the process and what it brings up, not the result. It can help when things are hard to put into words.

Person-centred therapy, developed by Carl Rogers, starts from the idea that you are the expert on your own life. The therapist offers warmth, empathy and genuine attention without steering the conversation, so you can explore what matters to you at your own pace. Many people find it helps them feel heard and grow in confidence and self-understanding.

Humanistic therapies see every person as capable of growth and focus on the whole person rather than a diagnosis. They value the relationship between client and therapist, your own experience and your right to make your own choices. Person-centred, gestalt and existential therapy are among the best-known humanistic approaches.

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.

Relaxation techniques, such as breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation and calming imagery, help the body and mind wind down. Practised regularly, they can lower tension and make stress, anxiety and sleep problems easier to manage. They are often taught as skills you can use on your own between sessions.