Psychotherapy Treatment for Bipolar Disorder
Medication is a cornerstone of bipolar disorder treatment, but it often provides only partial relief.
On its own, medication is linked to low rates of full recovery, frequent relapses, ongoing symptoms, and difficulties in daily functioning.
To address these challenges, bipolar-specific therapy is increasingly recognised as a crucial part of comprehensive treatment and has better outcomes than just using medication.
Research shows that adding bipolar-specific psychotherapy to medication improves outcomes by reducing symptoms and relapse risk.
Personalised Therapy to Navigate Bipolar with Confidence and Clarity
- Manage Emotional and Cognitive Challenges
- Boost Self-Esteem and Acceptance
- Understand Medication and manage side effects
- Build Relapse Prevention Skills
- Learn how to stay episode free
- Improve performance at work and socially
Therapeutic Treatments for Bipolar Disorder
I offer tailor made therapy focusing on the best therapeutic strategies to manage bipolar disorder. Whether delivered personally in my clinic or through my self paced online course, Bipolar specific therapies consistently lead to better results than medication alone.
The following psychosocial treatments offer the best evidence based and latest approaches to managing Bipolar Disorder.
Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT)
IPSRT helps individuals with bipolar disorder by promoting regular daily routines (social rhythms), such as sleep, meals, and exercise, to stabilise biological rhythms. It offers techniques and behavioral strategies to manage mood symptoms, connect life events with mood changes, and prevent disruptions to daily rhythms.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a skills-based approach that helps individuals identify and change the connection between negative thoughts and moods. It includes tools like mood tracking, activity scheduling, and techniques to challenge distorted thinking, alongside specific strategies for managing early warning signs and coping with the long-term effects of the illness.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness skills help individuals become more aware of their thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations, allowing them to recognise early signs of mood changes. These skills focus on reducing reactivity to distressing emotions by fostering a non-judgmental and present-moment awareness. Practices, such as breathing exercises and grounding techniques, also help stabilize mood by improving emotional regulation and reducing stress.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Helps individuals manage intense emotions, reduce impulsive behaviors, and improve interpersonal effectiveness. It combines mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal skills training to help patients navigate the emotional highs and lows associated with bipolar disorder. DBT also helps individuals develop healthier coping strategies and enhance their ability to maintain stability in relationships and daily functioning, particularly during mood episodes.
Schema Therapy
Schema Therapy is used to treat bipolar disorder by helping individuals identify and change deeply ingrained patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving, which can contribute to mood instability. This therapy focuses on addressing early life experiences, such as feelings of abandonment or unworthiness, which can trigger emotional dysregulation. By exploring and modifying these patterns, individuals build healthier coping mechanisms, improve emotional resilience, and prevent the recurrence of mood episodes.
Family Focused Therapy (FFT)
FFT is used to treat bipolar disorder by improving communication and reducing conflict within families, helping to create a supportive environment for individuals managing the disorder. It iinvolves psychoeducation and teaching family members how to recognise early warning signs and how to respond effectively. By enhancing family dynamics and providing coping strategies, FFT aims to reduce the risk of relapse and improve overall family functioning, which plays a key role in stabilizing mood and supporting long-term recovery.
A Personalised Therapeutic Blueprint:
The Mood Management Plan is a customised plan to help individuals manage their bipolar disorder by focusing on early warning signs and preventing relapses.
Holistic and Structured Approach:
This plan combines therapeutic strategies, lifestyle modifications, and self-care practices, focusing on stabilising mood and reducing the risk of episodes.
Core Lifestyle Elements:
The plan includes structured routines for sleep, nutrition, exercise, stress management, and medication adherence, all essential for long-term stability.
Early Warning & Relapse Prevention:
A key component is the identification and management of early mood shifts, helping individuals take proactive steps to prevent relapse.
Ongoing Adaptation:
The plan is designed to be flexible and adaptable, ensuring it remains an effective and relevant tool in maintaining long-term emotional health and balance.
Seeking Help?
Psychological treatments can significantly enhance your quality of life with bipolar disorder. Whether you’re looking to stabilise your mood, manage stress, or improve your self-esteem, I offer various therapies tailored to your needs.
Book a session today to explore these treatment options and find the right approach for you.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you’re experiencing mood swings or have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, I can help.
Book a session with me today to receive a thorough bipolar assessment and explore treatment options that can help improve your quality of life.