Our Therapies

Compassionate, evidence-based care to support healing, growth and wellbeing.

At Capability Psychology & Wellness in Springwood and Browns Plains, our psychologists and counsellors draw on a range of evidence-based therapies, chosen to suit the person rather than the other way around. Most of our clinicians work integratively — blending approaches as your needs change rather than applying one method rigidly.

You don’t need to know which therapy you want before you get in touch. Choosing the approach is part of our job, and we’ll talk it through with you in your first sessions. The summaries below are here if you’d like to understand what we might use and why.

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Which Therapy Might Suit You?

A rough guide — not a rule. Your psychologist will recommend an approach based on your circumstances.

• Anxiety, depression, panic — CBT, ACT, Mindfulness-Based Therapies
• Trauma and PTSD — EMDR, Trauma-Focused Therapy, Schema Therapy
• Long-standing patterns and self-criticism — Schema Therapy, Narrative Therapy
• Intense emotions and impulsivity — DBT-Informed Therapy
• Relationship and intimacy difficulties — Couples Counselling, Attachment-Based Therapy
• Parenting and connection with your child — Circle of Security, Family Therapy
• A specific goal, in fewer sessions — Solution-Focused Therapy
• Prefer to meet from home — Online Therapy / Telehealth

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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps you live a full and meaningful life while managing painful thoughts and emotions more effectively.

Rather than trying to eliminate uncomfortable feelings, ACT encourages acceptance — learning to make room for discomfort while committing to actions that align with your values. It combines mindfulness techniques with behaviour change strategies to help you move toward what matters to you.

ACT is particularly helpful for anxiety, depression, chronic stress, perfectionism and trauma. It recognises that while pain is a natural part of being human, suffering can ease when we change our relationship with our thoughts rather than fighting them.

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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is one of the most widely researched and effective forms of therapy available. It focuses on the connection between your thoughts, emotions and behaviours, and how these influence the way you feel and respond.

Through CBT, you learn to identify unhelpful thinking patterns — like “I’m not good enough” or “I can’t cope” — and develop more balanced, realistic perspectives. Over time this supports healthier coping, steadier mood and improved self-esteem.

CBT is effective for depression, anxiety disorders, panic attacks, phobias, OCD and sleep problems. It’s structured and goal-oriented, which suits people who want practical strategies they can use day to day.

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Circle of Security Parenting (COS)

The Circle of Security program helps parents and caregivers strengthen their relationship with their children through understanding, empathy and responsiveness.

It’s based on decades of attachment and child development research, and teaches parents to recognise and respond to a child’s emotional needs in ways that build security and confidence.

Our therapists work with parents to identify patterns of interaction, understand behaviour through an attachment lens, and develop strategies for a more secure bond. It’s particularly valuable for parents who feel overwhelmed or disconnected from their child. You can read more about the framework at Circle of Security International, or explore our family counselling and behaviour support services.

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Couples Counselling

Couples Counselling provides a safe, non-judgemental space for partners to reconnect, communicate more effectively and rebuild trust.

Relationships face challenges — communication breakdowns, conflict, intimacy difficulties, life transitions. Our therapists help couples uncover the patterns underneath the disconnection and work toward understanding and renewed partnership.

Our approach draws on evidence-based frameworks including Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Gottman Method techniques. See our Relationship Counselling page for more.

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Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR is an evidence-based treatment originally developed for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), now widely used for trauma, anxiety and other emotional difficulties.

During EMDR, you recall distressing memories while engaging in bilateral stimulation — usually eye movements or tapping — which supports the brain to reprocess the experience. Over time the emotional intensity of those memories reduces, allowing healing and steadier regulation.

EMDR is particularly effective following accidents, loss, abuse or chronic stress. You can read more on our Trauma & EMDR Therapy page, or about the evidence base at the EMDR International Association.

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Family Therapy

Family Therapy focuses on improving relationships and communication within families. When one family member is struggling, it usually affects everyone.

Our psychologists work with families to explore dynamics, improve understanding and resolve conflict in a supportive environment — building connection and emotional safety so each person feels heard.

Family therapy helps with parent–child conflict, sibling rivalry, blended family challenges and emotional distance, and can be valuable when adjusting to divorce, relocation or grief. See our Family Counselling page for more.

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Mindfulness-Based Therapies

Mindfulness-Based Therapy teaches you to focus on the present moment with openness and curiosity, rather than being caught in past regrets or future worries.

Practising mindfulness can reduce anxiety, lower stress and improve emotional balance. It also builds self-awareness and the capacity to respond calmly rather than react.

Our therapists often integrate mindfulness into other approaches such as ACT, CBT and trauma therapy — guided breathing, grounding exercises and mindful self-compassion, all of which can be used well beyond the therapy room.

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Online Therapy / Telehealth

Our Online Therapy (Telehealth) sessions make psychological support accessible from home.

Whether you’re managing a busy schedule, live further out, or simply prefer it, secure video consultations offer the same level of care and confidentiality as in-person therapy. We use the same evidence-based approaches — CBT for anxiety, EMDR for trauma, couples counselling for relationship support.

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Schema Therapy

Schema Therapy helps you understand long-standing emotional patterns — called schemas — that formed early in life and still shape how you think, feel and relate to others.

By identifying and working through these patterns, Schema Therapy helps break cycles of self-criticism, perfectionism and fear of rejection.

It’s particularly effective for childhood trauma, entrenched relationship difficulties and patterns that haven’t shifted with shorter-term approaches. Our psychologists use it in both individual and couples work.

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DBT-Informed Therapy

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) helps people manage intense emotions and build practical skills for daily life.

DBT-informed therapy combines cognitive-behavioural techniques with mindfulness and emotional regulation skills. You learn to balance acceptance and change — central to reducing distress and improving relationships.

It’s especially useful for emotional dysregulation, impulsivity and interpersonal conflict. Note that we offer DBT-informed individual therapy rather than a full DBT program with group skills training.

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Trauma-Focused Therapy

Trauma-Focused Therapy provides a safe, supportive environment to process distressing experiences and restore a sense of safety.

Our trauma-informed psychologists draw on EMDR, ACT and mindfulness-based approaches to help clients heal from trauma — whether from childhood, relationships or specific events.

Recovery involves not only understanding what happened, but rebuilding resilience and reconnecting with meaning. See our PTSD & Trauma Support page for more.

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Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT)

Solution-Focused Therapy is a brief, goal-oriented approach that emphasises strengths and possibilities rather than problems.

Instead of focusing on what isn’t working, you identify existing resources and build on what already helps. It’s practical and empowering, and suits people wanting results in a shorter timeframe.

SFT can be particularly helpful for career stress, decision-making, performance challenges and motivation.

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Narrative Therapy

Narrative Therapy invites you to re-examine and re-author your life story, shifting focus from limitations to strengths and resilience.

By exploring how personal and societal narratives shape identity, you begin to see yourself as capable of change. A central idea is separating the person from the problem — you are not the difficulty you’re facing.

It’s particularly effective for self-esteem, trauma recovery and identity work.

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Attachment-Based Therapy

Attachment-Based Therapy helps you understand how early attachment patterns shape adult relationships and emotional wellbeing.

It explores the impact of early caregiver relationships on current patterns of trust, intimacy and connection — especially useful for those struggling with relationship difficulties, fear of abandonment, or discomfort with closeness.

Through a safe and steady therapeutic relationship, clients build healthier attachment patterns and more secure connections.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to choose a therapy before booking?

No. Most people don’t, and it isn’t expected. Your psychologist will recommend an approach after understanding your situation, and will usually adapt it as therapy progresses.

What if the approach doesn’t suit me?

Tell your psychologist — this is useful information, not a problem. Most of our clinicians work integratively and can shift approach. If a different clinician would be a better fit, we’ll help arrange that.

How many sessions will I need?

It varies considerably. Solution-Focused Therapy may take only a handful of sessions; Schema Therapy for long-standing patterns generally takes longer. Your psychologist will give you a realistic sense early on.

Which therapies are available at Browns Plains?

Psychology, counselling and mental health social work are available at both Springwood and Browns Plains, so most of these approaches are offered at either clinic. Availability varies by clinician — get in touch and we’ll match you appropriately.

Are these therapies available via telehealth?

Many are. Talking therapies such as CBT, ACT, Schema and Solution-Focused Therapy work well by video. Some approaches, including EMDR, are often better in person — your psychologist will advise.

Do I need a referral?

No formal referral is required. If your GP has provided a Mental Health Care Plan, let us know and we’ll confirm any Medicare rebates that may apply.

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Begin Your Therapy Journey

Whether you’re interested in individual therapy, couples counselling or online sessions, our team can help you find the right approach and the right clinician. Located in Springwood and Browns Plains, we welcome clients from across Logan and Brisbane South.

And because we’re a multidisciplinary clinic, psychology and counselling sit alongside Speech Pathology and Occupational Therapy under one roof at Springwood. If your child or family needs more than one kind of support, we can coordinate it as one team.