Kamia Harris is a psychologist who has extensive experience in both public and private practice in Australia. Her specialties include clinical psychology, psychotherapy and critical incident response.
She utilizes evidence-based psychological therapy to assist her clients with their emotional difficulties and barriers to mental health. Her areas of specialty are neuroscience research and mindfulness-based techniques.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT (Cognitive Behavior Therapy) is a short-term, goal-oriented psychotherapy with an impressive research foundation. It can be effective for treating various mental health disorders like depression, anxiety disorders and addictions.
Therapy helps you and your therapist identify and challenge unhelpful thoughts that lead to negative emotions or behaviors. These thoughts can have a significant impact on how you feel emotionally, how your body responds to stressors, and other aspects of daily living.
By understanding and changing these thoughts and behaviors, you’ll be better equipped to manage your condition and experience overall improved wellbeing.
Therapists will inquire about your past and how it might be impacting your present circumstance. However, they don’t spend too much time dwelling on these events; rather, they encourage you to move forward with concrete actions rather than dwelling on what could have gone wrong.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a widely-used treatment option for many mental health conditions and often combined with other therapies or medication. CBT takes a structured approach and typically requires fewer sessions than other forms of therapy, providing greater accessibility.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT (Accelerated Cognitive Therapy) is an effective approach for treating mental health issues and other psychological disorders. It promotes psychological flexibility through mindfulness and behavior change.
At an ACT session, you’ll be guided by a qualified therapist to gain greater awareness of your thoughts and feelings. Additionally, you’ll discover how to recognize and use values as motivation for making decisions.
This therapy emphasizes six core processes: cognitive defusion, acceptance, flexible attention to the present moment, self-as-context, values, and committed action.
In this therapeutic model, patients are taught how to accept painful emotions and experiences without trying to control them. Furthermore, they learn how to focus on the positive aspects of these encounters and take action for greater personal growth.
Studies have demonstrated the therapeutic effects of ACT on those suffering from chronic pain, mild depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Even when symptoms are not completely eliminated, ACT can improve quality of life for these conditions.
Motivational Interviewing (MI)
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a counseling technique proven to be successful at helping individuals modify unhealthy behaviors and manage chronic health conditions. It has been shown to assist with addiction, mental health disorders, as well as physical ailments.
MI is a collaborative conversation style that encourages clients to identify their own motivations and solutions for change. Clinicians utilize this guiding style to build self-esteem and trust while giving clients control over their own transformation.
Motivational interviewing is essential for reframing, which helps clients transform negative thoughts or feelings into positive ones. This empowers them to take ownership of their health by making healthy changes on their own that can have long-lasting effects.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is the capacity to focus on the present moment and pay attention without judgment. It’s a skill that anyone can practice and can help people manage stress better.
Positive outcomes of mindfulness have been documented, such as improved heart health. A study revealed that mindfulness improved both systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels, as well as reduced respiratory sinus arrhythmia (the natural variations in heart rate caused by breathing).
Kids and teenagers can benefit from mindfulness practice as it helps them relax their minds and find focus. This helps them cope with frustration, manage their emotions, and build resilience to negative thoughts, perfectionism, and anxiety.
Research has also demonstrated that mindfulness can enhance cognitive skills. It improves memory and strengthens executive functions – such as time management, focus, and creativity – which are responsible for managing time effectively and productively.
