​​Straight Up Psychology

David Fillmore   Registered Psychologist

​Humanistic Therapies

Humanistic therapies focus on self-development and personal responsibilities by helping individuals to recognise their own strengths and creativity, their capacity to make rational choice and ability to develop to their fullest potential. It represents a broad range of therapeutic methods including:

Gestalt Therapy

Gestalt therapy focuses on an individual's self-worth and values. Being valued as a person, without being judged, can help an individual to accept who they are, and reconnect with themselves. It is based on the idea that it is best to experience what we feel "here and now" (in the present) and not keep thinking about the past or worry about the future. The aim of Gestalt Therapy is to help clients become aware of their thoughts, feelings and behaviours, and to take responsibility for them.

At the centre of Gestalt therapy is the idea of "awareness". Self-awareness is key to self development and personal growth. The approach recognises that sometimes this self-awareness can be blocked by negative thought patterns and behaviour. The patient is helped to see that they are trying to avoid feeling emotions and encouraged to become aware of their thoughts, feelings and behaviour in the present moment, and the effect they have upon the world around them, so that they can being to alleviate their current issues and distress and work towards developing to their full potential.

Fundamentally, gestalt therapy works by teaching clients how to define what is truly being experienced rather than what is merely an interpretation of what is happening.

Solution Focused Brief Therapy

Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), or Solution Focused Therapy, is a therapeutic approach which places focus on a person’s present circumstances, future goals and solution-building, rather than on dwelling on past or present problems and experiences.

The therapist helps clients to change by encouraging them to develop a vision of the future and the means of achieving that vision successfully, rather than dwelling on the symptoms or issues bringing that person to therapy.

SFBT recognises that at some level people already know what change is needed in their lives and that they already have the skills and abilities to create change. The therapist attempts to guide people through the process of identifying and developing those skills to use immediately to cope with challenges. 

Person Centered Therapy

​Person centered therapy focuses on an individual's self worth and values. Being valued as a person, without being judged, can help an individual to accept who they are, and reconnect with themselves.

Existential Therapy

Existential therapy aims to help people realise the ways in which they passively accept circumstances and surrender control and to help them to develop the skills to take responsibility for their decisions, and start consciously choosing direction in their own lives.