This approach is based on the idea that there are certain therapeutic conditions which are the key to successful personal growth. Most counsellors will have learnt about the ideas of Carl Rogers, who emphasised the importance of the counsellor being warm, empathic, non-judgmental, and non –directive. A client in ‘pure’ person-centred counselling is particularly likely to feel accepted, supported and encouraged.

CBT has become very well known as a treatment of choice within the NHS for symptoms of anxiety and depression. It seeks to change distressing behaviour relatively quickly by challenging unhelpful thoughts and beliefs and teaching the client to use coping strategies in the future. It aims to be ‘scientific’ by assessing and measuring change and does not prioritise finding original causes or exploring hidden potential. People with compulsive and obsessive disorders, fears, phobias and addictions tend to benefit from this type of therapy. Cognitive-behavioural therapists believe that while it is important to have a good, trusting relationship, but that is not enough in itself. A willingness to do homework tasks in between sessions is considered very important.

Gestalt therapy places a lot of emphasis on helping the client understand their non-verbal and body language, here-and-now behaviour, and potential for positive change. The client will be encouraged, and sometimes challenged, to accept responsibility for his or her actions, decisions, and feelings. It is likely to be suited to people who are willing to try to do this. Modern Gestalt therapy is not, however, necessarily a ‘confrontational’ approach.

The theory of NLP is broken down into three layers:

• Neuro involves creating our own mental map of the world.
• Linguistic involves how we each give meaning to the information.
• Programming involves how we respond to the meaning we have given to information.

NLP techniques are often used to bring about change and improve our personal growth, development, and performance.

This kind of therapy focuses on a particular issue and promotes positive change, rather than dwelling on the issue or past problems. You are encouraged to focus positively on what you do well, your strengths and resources and to set goals to achieve the changes you want to make. It is likely to appeal to people who prefer a highly practical, goal-oriented approach to problem-solving.

Ecotherapy can take place in both rural and urban settings, including parks, gardens, beaches, and woodlands. It is an umbrella term for a nature-based approach to psychotherapy and has become a term that is used to describe the positive effects that contact with nature can have on mental health.

Group therapy refers to a wide range of therapy in which individual clients participate in the work of others in group meetings. At Next Steps we offer 3 support groups which are:

1. for clients with a life-limiting diagnosis who wish to explore their feelings around death with other people who are dying.

We call this support group our Next Steps to Living with Dying Group

2. for clients who are experiencing anticipatory grief when someone they care for is dying.

We call this our Next Steps to Pre-Bereavement Group

3. for clients who have experienced a bereavement (either recently or in the past) who wish to explore their experiences around grief and loss with other bereaved people.

We call this support group our Next Steps to Bereavement Support Group

Group therapy can help you explore your feelings with other people who are experiencing similar difficulties as you. It is often most effective when the group therapist is also the individual therapist of the clients in the group however, this is not a pre-requisite for joining. Support groups often enable people to reach even deeper into their issues, especially when shared insights and experiences highlight commonalities within the group. Members often find that a support group offers a space in which deeply meaningful and mutually supportive connections can evolve.