A conversation with Erin Galt

• What led you to choose psychotherapy or counselling as a profession?

  I have always had a keen interest in understanding people and how their minds work. I find practicing psychology and conducting assessments very rewarding, particularly observing client's reaching their goals. I wanted to work with children and young people in particular as I value early intervention and teaching young people the skills to effectively cope with life's challenges.

• Which particular aspects of health or the human journey are you interested in?

  Effective and supportive parenting is so important for promoting child and youth wellbeing, and I enjoy working with parents to identify how to meet individual child needs. I really enjoy working with young people on the Autism spectrum and supporting those suffering with anxiety.

• What methods do you use?

  I practice from a cognitive-behavioural base, drawing on acceptance and commitment therapy, interpersonal therapy, mindfulness-based stress reduction and solution oriented approaches to tailor my service to the individual client.

• When do you think the client will start to feel that progress is being made?

  The 'when' for client progress is dependent upon a range of individual factors including but not limited to client readiness for change, the client's level of insight into their difficulty, and management of extraneous variables that are negatively impacting the client, as well as client self-care strategies and the most important aspect, the therapeutic relationship that develops from a good fit between client and therapist; a therapeutic relationship founded on trust and openness.

• How has therapy made a difference in your life?

  Self-reflection is an important part of practicing as a psychologist both in my work and in my personal life, and has helped me to always ensure I am being an effective practitioner whilst being self-caring. There is also a lot to learn both professionally and personally from the people I work with.

• What do you like most about being a therapist?

  Sharing in the personal journeys of my clients is fascinating and such a privilege.

• Do you ever have 'bad hair' days?

  Haha, don't we all!

• What do you think is the most significant problem we face, in the world today?

  There is just too much of everything, to the extent that we can easily become overwhelmed, overstimulated and under satisfied, and I think people struggle to slow down, take a moment to breathe and be in the present.

• Can you share the name of a book, film, song, event or work of art that inspires you?

  That's a hard one to answer as there are so many, though I'm currently reading 'Surrender' by Bono from U2 which has me hooked. Bono writes about his own personal journeys through his relationships and experiences and how the historical context has impacted his personal growth at each life stage. His capacity to reflect upon his experiences and himself to work towards personal growth is inspiring.