Identity First offers psychotherapy and counselling to address problems that impact on mental or emotional health, social wellbeing and identity expression. Our social worker has experience in providing cognitive behaviour therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy and specialises in offering a neurodiversity-affirming approach. The social work approach to therapy focuses on understanding and addressing the individual's unique challenges within their social, cultural, and environmental contexts, while promoting empowerment, personal growth, and resilience through a strengths-based and client-centered framework. Our social worker will take the time needed to build a relationship first and provides therapy in a natural setting. For example, sessions can take place at home, school, at the beach, parks, cafe's, sporting fields etc. This approach is helpful because it allows participants to engage in therapy in a relaxed, non-clinical environment, which can reduce anxiety, foster a greater sense of connection to nature, and promote openness and sense of safety. 

 

Participants can be supported to develop their capacity in:

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• Emotional regulation and coping skills

• Interpersonal skills and conflict management

• Assertive communication and self-advocacy 

• Problem solving and decision making 

• Self esteem and confidence building 

• Distress tolerance and resilience

• Mindfulness skills

• Goal setting and motivation