Anxiety is a typical human emotion, a natural part of life that surfaces occasionally.

Multi-Channel Eye Movement Integration Therapy (MEMI) is an approach is that reduces distress as a result from traumatic experience. It descended directly from original Eye Movement Integration (EMI) methodology developed by Connirae and Steve Andreas (1993) and a later adaptation by Ron Klein (2015). It is a bottom-up method effective in helping individuals to manage their traumatic experiences at their source in the limbic brain.

Adlerian Therapy is an approach that focuses on clients’ social context such as birth order, and lifestyle. Adlerian therapists believe that people are most fulfilled when they are contributing towards society. From the Adlerian perspective, inferiority feelings are a normal condition for everyone. This is because striving to overcome feelings of inferiority enables people to achieve high levels of development. Hence, these people are able to contribute to society as a whole.

Ericksonian hypnotherapy (indirect hypnosis) refers to hypnosis characterised by indirect suggestions. Indirect suggestions are often harder to resist, because the conscious mind does not recognise them as suggestions. An example of indirect suggestion is “You may want to close your eyes if you are feeling sleepy”. Meanwhile, direct hypnosis would be “Close your eyes when I say three”. The indirect suggestion hinted at the possibility of the client’s eyes closing.

Self-Gestalt is a German word which translates to “form” or “shape”, suggesting that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Thus, Gestalt therapy is a holistic process treating people as a totality of their mind, body, and emotions. According to Gestalt Therapy, context affects experience. Hence, Gestalt therapists use techniques to enable clients to become aware of their perceptions and reactions in various situations.

Existential Therapy explores clients’ challenges through a philosophical perspective. This approach focuses on the human as a whole, and emphasises that we have the responsibility and freedom to make choices. It focuses on themes such as meaning, freedom, anxiety, responsibility, and aloneness in relation to clients’ difficulties.

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a nontraditional therapy approach that alleviates distress of associated traumatic memories. EMDR suggests that mental health problems are created from maladaptively stored past experiences, as unprocessed memories.

Reality Therapy was developed under the theoretical basis of choice theory. Choice Theory suggests that we are responsible for our choices, as we have control over our behaviours. Reality therapy is solution oriented as it encourages changing one’s own behaviour to achieve desired goals.

Person centred therapy, or client centred counselling is a humanistic approach that views clients as always trying to fulfill their inner potential. Counsellors act as facilitators listening empathically without judgment or influencing clients’ process of self discovery. Through this approach, counsellors provide support to clients as clients explore their strengths and identity.

Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) is a quick solution focused therapy that emphasises clients’ present and future circumstances. Symptoms are not targeted. Instead, SFBT has a rational approach towards formulating clients’ solutions. This approach also assumes clients are motivated to improve their circumstances.

Psychodynamic Therapy takes a holistic approach towards assessing clients in relation to their problems. Insight is essential to achieve success in therapy. This approach helps clients understand their long standing conflicts from the past. These conflicts are a result of unconscious processes. Therefore, psychodynamic therapy focuses on mental and emotional processes rather than unhelpful behaviours. More specifically, this involves recognising and overcoming repressed and upsetting emotions.

As play therapists, we provide a safe space for participants to play, so that they can express their emotions, explore and cope with their daily challenges. Our daily lives consist of responsibilities and stress which may add extra weight on us. Therefore, it is very important that we learn how to take care of ourselves so that we can be better emotional support for our loved ones.

Many have found solace through the therapeutic benefits through art expression. The ability to express thoughts and feelings through art making has been timeless. Our love for art making goes as far back as the prehistoric ages of the caveman as evidenced on cave walls. Such passion for art making remains evidently so today.

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is a combination of cognitive and behavioural therapeutic approaches. It focuses on breaking down overwhelming problems into smaller manageable ones.This approach suggests that thoughts, feelings and behaviours are interconnected. Specifically, our thoughts influence our feelings and behaviour.

A solution-focused approach to staying optimistic in the face of challenges. My preschooler son and I recently returned to Singapore to put down roots after spending several years abroad. Before our self isolation, the idea of being stuck at home for two weeks with my active son made me dread the return flight to Singapore.