Approach to Therapy
At Inner Compass, we intersect psychotherapy with Western scientific, evidence-based,
approaches, and Eastern practices and philosophies rooted in mindfulness and meditation.
Our approach to therapy is eclectic and integrative – offering you holistic,
comprehensive, and individualized care for your needs.
Western Approaches
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
- Dialectical Behavioural Therapy
- Psychodynamics
- Transactional Analysis
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Schema therapy
- Solution-focus based therapy
- Hypnotherapy
- Internal Family Systems
- Developmental Needs Meeting Strategy
Eastern Approaches
- Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction
- Mindfulness-based Behavioral Cognitive Therapy
- Meditation
- Buddhist Psychology
- Yoga Nidra
- Yogic Breathing
- Trauma-sensitive Yoga
To read more about these approaches, click on the + icon in the list below:
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an empirically proven therapy that is recognized as the gold standard for trauma recovery. EMDR has been proven to be clinically effective in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder, complex trauma, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and other distressing life experiences. If one finds themselves re-traumatized or traumatized further from talk therapy, then EMDR is highly beneficial as it does not require one to talk in detail. Compared to other forms of psychotherapy, EMDR requires fewer sessions for achieving one’s goals.
Inner Compass also runs EMDR Solution Tapping workshops for Health Anxiety year-round. For more information, click here.
Cognitive Behavior Therapy
Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) is an action-oriented form of therapy which targets patterns or thoughts that are counterproductive. It focuses on the unconscious automatic negative thoughts that contribute to emotional difficulties and challenges. It is a structured and goal-oriented form of talk therapy. CBT also helps in imparting coping skills and addressing dysfunctional feelings and behaviors.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a form of therapy that is highly beneficial for individuals who experience emotions very intensely. It is rooted in the belief that multiple opposing versions can hold true and techniques are imparted to navigate such emotions. DBT imparts skills in distress tolerance, emotional regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and management of suicidal thoughts.
Inner Compass also runs DBT workshops for adults and adolescents year-round. For more information, click here.
Psychodynamics
Psychodynamic therapy is a modality which focuses on the unconscious processes which underpin an individual’s behavior and anxiety. This therapy is derived from Sigmund Freud’s theories in psychoanalysis. By guiding clients in learning how their past experiences may have shaped their psychological development as adults, it helps in alleviating tension and resolving issues.
Transactional Analysis
Transactional analysis is a form of therapy that uses the process of transactions and communications with others to understand behaviors, thoughts, and the factors that drive our personality and interactions. By analyzing transactions, a more effective approach to interaction is developed.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a form of therapy which helps individuals accept their painful emotions and develop more psychological flexibility towards refractory issues in their life. The aim of ACT is to offer individuals a way forward moving past stuckness.
Schema Therapy
Schema therapy is a form of psychotherapy that helps individuals identify and change deep-seated patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving that stem from early life experiences. These patterns, called schemas, often contribute to ongoing emotional difficulties and relationship challenges. By exploring these schemas in a supportive therapeutic environment, individuals can learn to challenge and modify them, leading to healthier ways of coping and relating to others. Schema therapy offers a comprehensive approach to addressing unresolved issues and fostering personal growth and fulfillment.
Solution-focused based Therapy
Solution-focused therapy is a type of counseling that focuses on identifying and building upon an individual’s strengths and resources to create positive change in their lives. Unlike traditional therapy, which may delve extensively into past issues or traumas, solution-focused therapy is forward-thinking and goal-oriented. Therapists in this approach collaborate with clients to envision their desired future and explore small, practical steps towards desired goals. By emphasizing clients’ abilities to solve their own problems and amplifying successes, solution-focused therapy empowers individuals to break free from negative patterns and discover new possibilities for growth and fulfillment.
Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy is used to bring one to a heightened state of clarity and attention, with deep relaxation. The practitioner guides one into this state through verbal cues, repetition, and/or imagery. Hypnotherapy accesses the subconscious mind to rewire and replace unwanted and undesirable thoughts and behaviors, as well as enhance desired changes.
Internal Family Systems
Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy is a therapeutic approach that views the mind as consisting of various internal “parts,” each with its own unique thoughts, feelings, and motivations. In IFS therapy, clients work with a therapist to explore and understand these different parts of themselves, often visualized as distinct characters or roles. The goal is to develop a harmonious relationship among these parts, fostering self-awareness, compassion, and integration. By acknowledging and respecting the roles of these internal parts, individuals can achieve greater emotional balance, resilience, and authenticity in their lives. Through guided exploration and dialogue, IFS therapy empowers clients to heal inner conflicts, access their core selves, and navigate life’s challenges with greater clarity and confidence.
Developmental Needs Meeting Strategy
Developmental Needs Meeting Strategy (DNMS) is a therapeutic approach focused on meeting unmet developmental needs that individuals may have experienced during childhood. In DNMS therapy, clients work with a therapist to identify and address these unmet needs through a combination of experiential techniques and cognitive restructuring. The therapy aims to provide a safe and supportive environment for clients to explore and heal past wounds, allowing them to develop healthier patterns of thinking, feeling, and relating to others. By addressing these needs, individuals can experience greater emotional resilience, self-esteem, and overall well-being. DNMS therapy offers a pathway for individuals to overcome past traumas, cultivate self-awareness, and unlock their full potential for personal growth and fulfillment.
Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is a program designed to help individuals manage stress, pain, and illness by cultivating mindfulness practices. Through guided meditation, body awareness exercises, and mindful movement, clients learn to bring non-judgmental awareness to their present moment experiences. By developing this skill, individuals can reduce the impact of stressors, increase resilience, and foster a greater sense of well-being in their daily lives.
Mindfulness-based Behavioral Cognitive Therapy
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) integrates mindfulness practices with cognitive-behavioral techniques to help individuals break free from patterns of negative thinking and prevent relapse into depression or anxiety. By learning to observe thoughts and emotions without attachment or judgment, clients can develop new perspectives and coping strategies. MBCT empowers individuals to cultivate self-awareness, interrupt automatic reactions, and cultivate a greater sense of balance and control over their mental health.
To learn more about Mindfulness-based programs and workshops, click here.
Meditation
Meditation is a practice that involves training the mind to achieve a state of focused attention, relaxation, and heightened awareness. Through various techniques such as mindfulness meditation, loving-kindness meditation, or transcendental meditation, individuals can cultivate inner peace, clarity, and emotional balance. Regular meditation practice is associated with numerous benefits, including stress reduction, improved concentration, and enhanced overall well-being.
To learn more about our meditation programs and workshops, click here.
Buddhist Psychology
Buddhist psychology is a branch of psychology rooted in the teachings of Buddhism, which offers insights into the nature of the mind, emotions, and human suffering. Central concepts such as mindfulness, compassion, and impermanence provide a framework for understanding and addressing psychological challenges. By integrating Buddhist principles with modern psychological approaches, individuals can develop greater self-awareness, acceptance, and wisdom in navigating life’s ups and downs.
Yoga Nidra
Yoga Nidra, also known as yogic sleep, is a guided relaxation practice that induces deep physical, mental, and emotional relaxation. Through systematic instructions, individuals are led into a state of conscious deep relaxation, akin to a state between wakefulness and sleep. Yoga Nidra promotes stress relief, emotional healing, and personal transformation by accessing the subconscious mind and releasing tensions stored in the body.
To learn more about our yoga nidra programs and workshops, click here.
Yogic Breathing
Yogic breathing, or pranayama, consists of various breathing techniques practiced in yoga to regulate the breath and cultivate vitality and relaxation. Techniques such as deep belly breathing, alternate nostril breathing, or breath retention are used to balance the flow of prana (life force energy) in the body. Yogic breathing promotes physical health, mental clarity, and emotional well-being by calming the nervous system, increasing oxygenation, and enhancing mindfulness of the breath.
To learn more about our yogic breathwork programs and workshops, click here.
Trauma-sensitive Yoga
Trauma-sensitive yoga is highly beneficial for individuals who have experienced trauma in helping them to heal and reconnect with their physical body. This approach prioritizes safety and empowerment. The goal is to develop a more positive relationship with one’s body, by emphasizing choice and comfort in movements.
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Inner Compass Psychotherapy and Trauma Practice
Suite 1902, 19/F, 18-20 Lyndhurst Terrace,
Car Po Commercial Building, Central, Hong Kong
Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 6:30pm
Saturday, 9:00am to 3:00pm
