Our Services
Counselling
“Making detachment a habit sterilises clinical care of its richness and meaning”–Attending: Medicine Mindfulness and Humanity. Dr Ronald Epstein, MD
Healthcare is a demanding profession that requires us to give of ourselves physically, cognitively, and emotionally; Many of us cope by becoming detached from the emotional aspects of our work. A supportive counselling relationship can offer the space to achieve emotional wellbeing, a foundational requirement for the work we do as healers. Counselling4docs offers supportive therapeutic counselling by a doctor and qualified mental health practitioner who understands the specific challenges of medical students, doctors in training and senior medical officers.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
“The aim of ACT is to increase one’s ability for mindful, values-guided action”–Dr Russ Harris
Practicing mindfulness and compassion allows us to be present rather than detached. ACT is a third wave cognitive behavioural therapy which emphasises mindfulness for emotional regulation. It also emphasises self-compassion and values based committed action, powerful antidotes to burnout and compassion fatigue. The ACT approach fosters psychological flexibility, the ability to be present, open, and to do what matters. ACT is particularly useful for the treatment of work-related stress and distress, burnout, imposter syndrome and compassion fatigue. ACT is an evidence-based approach for the treatment of anxiety and depression in adults. Traditional Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) techniques can be incorporated with ACT.
Hypnotherapy
“The unconscious mind works without your knowledge and that is the way it prefers”–Milton H. Erickson, MD (Psychiatrist and Hypnotherapist)
Hypnosis is a state of focused attention. Spontaneous states of hypnosis commonly occur in adults; for example, when engrossed in a movie, or an interesting book. In hypnosis, the conscious mind tends to ignore the external environment while the subconscious mind becomes more open to change. Hypnotherapy uses the state of hypnosis to give suggestions, techniques, or strategies that facilitate change. Suggestions can be given by the hypnotherapist or by the individual during self-hypnosis. In hypnosis you remain conscious and in control of your thoughts and actions.
Hypnotherapy can be effective in the management of anxiety, including exam anxiety, performance anxiety and anxiety associated with medical procedures. It can be used to manage symptoms such as pain and nausea and to control fears and phobias. Hypnotherapy is most effective when the person using it is highly motivated to change.
Telehealth
Counselling via telehealth is flexible, convenient and a very close approximation to in person counselling. Studies have shown that counselling via telehealth has minimal impact on rapport building and on the therapeutic alliance, the primary determinants of outcome in therapy. At Counselling4Docs we offer in person and telehealth services to maximise the benefits of in person therapy and the convenience, accessibility, and practicality of telehealth counselling. Hypnotherapy is usually offered in person for a minimum of 3 sessions. Subsequent follow up sessions for consolidation can be offered by telehealth.