Dr Thorley has considerable experience in the treatment of clients who have suffered psychological injuries as the result of accidents and trauma, utilising several treatment approaches, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT), Hypnosis and Guided Imagery.
Dr Thorley uses several therapies, often in combination where appropriate.
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COGNITIVE-BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY (CBT)
CBT is a combination of approaches with a scientific basis developed over many decades and proven valuable, as evidenced by well-controlled studies. CBT is particularly recommended for a range of mental health problems, including anxiety, panic, phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, anorexia, bulimia and depression.
CBT consist of two main strands. The first is helping young people to develop a more adaptive understanding of their problems, symptoms and situations. This often involves re-evaluating attitudes and beliefs held about situations and other people. Clients are encouraged to abandon thoughts, attitudes and beliefs which are maladaptive and often make mental health problems worse. Instead, they are encouraged to replace them with more useful constructs, which help remediate any current problems and prevent new ones from developing. A second, and probably the most crucial aim, is to examine behaviours and behavioural responses to situations that may worsen or last longer and then make appropriate changes. Clients are then encouraged to make changes in their behaviour in a graduated way to minimise any anxiety and promote the development of confidence.
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RATIONAL EMOTIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY (REBT)
This therapy aims to challenge and reshape thoughts, feelings, attitudes and behaviours which are maladaptive and/or irrational. It is chiefly a 'talking' or dialectical therapy, with the therapist initially taking the initiative to examine thinking styles. A second, equally important part is for clients to carry out practical, confidence-building assignments to consolidate any change in thinking. This therapy is not particularly suitable for children and works best with older adolescents.
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EYE MOVEMENT DESENSITISING AND REPROCESSING THERAPY (EMDR)
EMDR is a relatively new therapy supported by an increasing research base. The UK National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence considers it an effective treatment for Post post-traumatic stress Disorder. It is effective but relatively rapid and requires fewer treatment sessions than other therapies. The therapy can be used effectively with infants of all ages.
The therapy seeks to convert traumatic memories, which tend to be rigid, unchanging, intrusive and uncontrollable, into a form which is more adaptable and less distressing. The original traumatic memory is re-visited safely, and the client can make appropriate changes at an acceptable pace. Eventually, the traumatic memory is converted and 'tamed' but in a way that the client determines and not the therapist. A further part of the therapy involves the 'installation' of the re-formed memory, often involving practical assignments and other confidence-building techniques.
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GUIDED IMAGERY (SELF-HYPNOSIS)
This technique is a useful adjunct to other therapies, including CBT. It offers a rapid way of achieving a relaxed state, which in turn assists the effectiveness of other therapies. It can be taught very quickly, and clients can use it at home to control stress, reduce anxiety and cope with symptoms of post-traumatic stress, amongst other things. It is suitable for the whole age range and can be individually tailored to meet clients' needs.
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Referral Information
Clinics are held at the Spire Hospital Leicester; Solicitors, general practitioners, or clients may refer patients.
If a medico-legal report has been obtained, a short assessment session is usually required before a therapy plan is agreed upon. The frequency of treatment sessions is variable depending on the severity and complexity of the mental health problems and disorders. Still, typically, the effects of trauma can be substantially resolved in between 5 and 12 sessions of therapy, each lasting 45 minutes on average. |
