Kim Seppälä
- Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT)
- Couple therapy
Mindfulness
My aim is to support my clients in restoring a state of psychological wellbeing in a safe, non-judgmental space. My therapeutic style is collaborative and compassionate; I encourage clients to take an active role in therapy, and guide them to their inner resources.
I have a Masters in Clinical and Health Psychology, and have trained and worked in both public and private settings.
My approach to therapy is integrative, and combines elements from: mindfulness-based therapies, ACT Therapy, experiential therapies (IFS, Coherence Therapy), self-compassion, and attachment theory (how childhood experiences influence current relationship dynamics). My Masters' dissertation focused on trauma recovery.
My approach is based on the premise that psychological wellbeing can be learned and practiced.
In the first few sessions with a client, my aim is to create a safe space, establish a good therapeutic relationship and understand the client's aims for therapy: what is the core problem that the client is struggling with, and what type of change are they aiming for. During this phase I'll be listening attentively, asking a lot of questions and taking notes.
Based on the initial sessions, I will make a treatment plan. While I tailor the sessions based on each client’s needs and aims, some common ways of working include: identifying and unlearning patterns that are keeping you stuck; learning emotion-skills and new ways of relating to thoughts, learning relationship skills, learning techniques that reduce stress and enhance personal growth.
In some cases, the focus of therapy is more on allowing and accepting certain experiences, for example when the client is dealing with chronic illness or grief.
I generally like to give my clients action steps to practise at home.