Assessment

We understand reaching out for support is not always easy, and that mental health can manifest in a variety of ways. To help ease any discomfort, we have provided information below to assist your understanding of the New Days process. Upon lodging a request for support via our contact page, the journey is as followed:

• A pre-appointment phone consultation. If a phone call is anxiety-provoking, you can request the pre-consultation to occur via email.

• If New Days is a suitable fit, you will be sent an online questionnaire. This questionnaire will allow you to tell the origin of your story. This story will guide your first session with New Days.

• From here, New Days will provide a face-to-face assessment and discuss a treatment plan.

Interventions

Jordan uses a variety of evidence-based psychological interventions at the Level 1, 2 or 3 treatment protocol for focused psychological strategy.

Jordan is trained in the following interventions

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) is a focused approach based on the premise that cognitions influence feelings and behaviours, and that subsequent behaviours and emotions can influence cognitions. The clinician works with client to identify unhelpful thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. CBT has two aspects: behaviour therapy and cognitive therapy. Behaviour therapy is based on the theory that behaviour is learned and therefore can be changed. Examples of behavioural techniques include exposure, activity scheduling, relaxation, and behaviour modification. Cognitive therapy is based on the theory that distressing emotions and maladaptive behaviours are the result of faulty patterns of thinking. Therefore, therapeutic interventions such as cognitive restructuring and self-instructional training are aimed at replacing dysfunctional thoughts with more helpful cognitions, which leads to an alleviation of problem thoughts, emotions, and behaviour.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on the context and function of psychological experiences (e.g., thoughts, feelings, and sensations) as the target of interventions, rather than on the actual form or frequency of particular symptoms. In ACT, individuals increase their acceptance of the full range of subjective experiences, including distressing thoughts, beliefs, sensations, and feelings in an effort to promote desired behaviour change that will lead to improved quality of life. Attempts to control unwanted subjective experiences (e.g., anxiety) are often not only ineffective but even counterproductive in that they can result in a net increase in distress. Consequently, individuals are encouraged to connect with their experiences fully and without defence while moving toward valued goals. ACT also helps individuals to identify their values and translate them into specific behavioural goals.

Schema-focused Therapy

Schema-focused therapy emphasises identifying and changing maladaptive schemas and the associated ineffective coping strategies. Schemas are psychological constructs that include beliefs that people have about themselves, the world, and other people, and that are the product of how their basic childhood needs were dealt with. Schema change requires both cognitive and experiential work. Schema-focused Therapy employs cognitive and behavioural techniques to identify and change automatic thoughts, identify cognitive distortions, and conduct empirical tests of individuals’ maladaptive rules about how to survive in an environment created from schemas. Experiential work includes work with visual imagery and creative work to symbolise positive experiences.

Solution-focused Brief Therapy

Solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) is a brief goal focused therapeutic approach that helps individuals change by constructing solutions. It aims to increase optimism and positive expectancies along with the experience of positive emotions to improve outcomes. SFBT includes using specific techniques such as miracle and scaling questions to draw on clients’ strengths and resources to create new meaning for clients that provides a more positive future outlook.

Interpersonal Psychotherapy

Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) is a brief, structured approach that addresses interpersonal issues. The underlying assumption of IPT is that mental health problems and interpersonal problems are interrelated. The goal of IPT is to help clients understand how these problems, operating in their current life situation, lead them to become distressed and put them at risk of mental health problems. Specific interpersonal problems, as conceptualised in IPT, include interpersonal disputes, role transitions, grief, and interpersonal deficits. IPT explores individuals’ perceptions and expectations of relationships, and aims to improve communication and interpersonal skills