Our Therapeutic Approaches

At Bluff Road Psychology, our experienced team provides a variety of evidence-based therapies. Each approach is backed by strong research and proven to be effective for different mental health concerns. Your psychologist will work collaboratively with you to tailor treatment to your individual goals, strengths, and needs.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

What it is:
CBT is one of the most widely researched forms of psychotherapy. It works on the principle that our thoughts, emotions, and behaviours are interconnected. By identifying and challenging unhelpful thought patterns, clients learn healthier ways of thinking and coping.

Effectiveness & research:

  • Decades of research have demonstrated CBT’s effectiveness for anxiety, depression, and other common mental health issues.
  • The Australian Psychological Society (APS) and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend CBT as a first-line treatment for many conditions.
  • Meta-analyses show CBT to be as effective as (and often more sustainable than) medication for conditions such as depression and anxiety.

Common conditions treated with CBT:

  • Anxiety disorders (generalised anxiety, social anxiety, panic disorder, phobias)
  • Depression
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Insomnia and sleep problems
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
  • Eating disorders
  • Stress management

What to expect:

  • Structured sessions with clear goals
  • Practical tools and homework to apply between sessions
  • Focus on building lifelong coping skills
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

What it is:
ACT is a modern form of behavioural therapy that helps people live a meaningful and values-driven life while learning to accept difficult emotions rather than struggling against them. It uses mindfulness strategies, acceptance, and values-based action to foster resilience.

Effectiveness & research:

  • ACT has strong empirical support for a wide range of psychological issues.
  • Research shows ACT is especially effective in improving quality of life and reducing avoidance behaviours.
  • Studies confirm its effectiveness for both mental health conditions and chronic physical health problems.

Common conditions treated with ACT:

  • Anxiety and depression
  • Chronic pain and health conditions
  • Trauma-related difficulties
  • Stress and burnout
  • Adjustment difficulties and life transitions
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

What to expect:

  • Mindfulness practices to increase present-moment awareness
  • Strategies to reduce avoidance and increase flexibility
  • Exercises to clarify personal values and act in alignment with them
Schema Therapy

What it is:
Schema Therapy is an integrative approach that blends CBT, attachment theory, and experiential techniques. It focuses on long-standing patterns of thinking, feeling, and relating (“schemas”) that often develop in childhood and continue into adulthood.

Effectiveness & research:

  • Particularly effective for complex and long-term issues where other therapies may not have worked.
  • Research shows strong outcomes for personality disorders, chronic depression, and trauma histories.
  • Studies demonstrate significant improvement in emotional regulation, relationship functioning, and overall wellbeing.

Common conditions treated with Schema Therapy:

  • Personality disorders (including borderline personality disorder)
  • Complex trauma (C-PTSD)
  • Chronic depression and anxiety
  • Relationship difficulties
  • Long-standing emotional or behavioural patterns

What to expect:

  • Identifying core schemas and how they developed
  • Experiential techniques (e.g., imagery, chair work) to process early experiences
  • Practical strategies to change unhelpful patterns and develop healthier coping styles
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)

What it is:
EMDR is a structured therapy originally developed for trauma and PTSD. It helps the brain process and reframe distressing memories, reducing their emotional intensity. This is done through bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements, tapping, or sounds) while recalling aspects of the traumatic memory.

Effectiveness & research:

  • EMDR is recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) as an effective treatment for PTSD.
  • Clinical trials and meta-analyses confirm EMDR’s effectiveness is comparable to, and sometimes faster than, traditional trauma-focused CBT.
  • Increasing evidence supports EMDR for a range of conditions beyond trauma.

Common conditions treated with EMDR:

  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Complex trauma (C-PTSD)
  • Phobias
  • Panic disorder
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Grief and loss

What to expect:

  • Safe, guided recall of traumatic memories while engaging in bilateral stimulation
  • Gradual reduction of emotional distress linked to memories
  • A structured, step-by-step process focused on safety and resilience
Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP)

What it is:
ISTDP is an emotion-focused therapy that helps clients uncover and work through unconscious emotional patterns that may cause psychological or physical symptoms. It aims to break down barriers of avoidance, allowing individuals to access and process deep-seated emotions.

Effectiveness & research:

  • Research shows ISTDP can be highly effective for treatment-resistant conditions, where other therapies have not worked.
  • Studies confirm its usefulness for somatic symptoms (physical symptoms caused by psychological distress) and complex emotional difficulties.
  • Evidence suggests long-term benefits due to its focus on underlying root causes.

Common conditions treated with ISTDP:

  • Anxiety and depression
  • Medically unexplained physical symptoms (e.g., chronic pain, fatigue)
  • Trauma-related difficulties
  • Personality disorders
  • Relationship difficulties
  • Treatment-resistant conditions

What to expect:

  • A collaborative and active approach with your psychologist
  • Close attention to both emotional and physical responses during sessions
  • Focus on experiencing and processing underlying feelings to create lasting change
Tailored Support

Every person is different, and there’s no “one-size-fits-all” approach. Our psychologists draw from these approaches—sometimes blending them—to provide treatment that is individualised, evidence-based, and effective.

Relationship Counselling / Couples Therapy

What it is:
Relationship counselling, also known as couples therapy, is a form of therapy that helps partners improve communication, resolve conflict, and strengthen their relationship. It provides a safe, supportive space for couples to explore patterns of interaction, manage differences, and build healthier ways of connecting.

What it is good for:

  • Strengthening communication and trust
  • Managing conflict in healthy ways
  • Rebuilding connection after a rupture (such as infidelity, stress, or major life changes)
  • Navigating parenting challenges and family transitions
  • Supporting couples who are considering separation or seeking to redefine their relationship

Research support:
Relationship counselling and evidence-based models such as Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) have been shown to significantly improve relationship satisfaction, reduce conflict, and increase emotional closeness.

Common issues treated:

  • Communication difficulties
  • Intimacy and trust issues
  • Parenting and blended family challenges
  • Adjustment to life transitions (new baby, career changes, relocation)
  • Stress, anxiety, or mental health concerns impacting the relationship

What to expect:
In therapy, couples will be guided to better understand each other’s perspectives, identify unhelpful patterns, and develop new strategies for connection and problem-solving. The focus is on creating practical, sustainable changes that improve the relationship both day-to-day and long-term.