It seems to make sense that our emotions are triggered by a situation, conversation or event. In reality, it is our thoughts about these situations which determine how we feel and behave.

“People are not troubled by things, but by their judgement of things”

Epictetus (ancient Greek philosopher)

CBT offers strategies to help manage those unhelpful thoughts which cause distress and can then lead to behaviours that get in the way of us living life we want to.

When we suffer from anxiety, depression and other emotional disorders we spend a lot of time engaged in mental time travel: ruminating on the past or worrying about the future. In therapy we practise specific mindful exercises to help shift our attention away from these unhelpful thoughts and bring it back into the present.

Distress is part of the human condition. ACT teaches us the importance of accepting these uncomfortable emotions but also being able to diffuse from them so, when appropriate, we can continue to live a life driven by what we value.

DNA-V has been specifically designed for working with young people. It comprises elements of all the above therapies but focuses on three skills we are all born with: our Discoverer, Noticer and Advisor skills. Exploring these skills allows children and teenagers to see what might be getting in the way of them leading their lives according to what is uniquely important to them; their Values.