Average cost pounds 30-pounds 35 per hour.! Gestalt Centre, 64 Warwick Road, St Albans ALl 4DL (01727 864 806)Bioenergetics: The work of Wilhelm Reich was the starting point for bioenergetics which holds that our bodies store our emotional history in the same way as our minds do. The therapy combines aspects of psychotherapy and physical exercises designed to release pent-up tensions and conflicts, physically and verbally. Considered effective for people suffering from stress, sexual and relationship difficulties and emotional trauma Can be done in groups or individually Not available on the NHS. Costs pounds 25-pounds 35 per hour.! British Association of Analytical Body Psychotherapy, 47 Dean Court Road, Rottingdean, Brighton BN2 7DL (01273 303382)Primal Therapy: This is based on the work of Arthur Janov, and the idea that certain behaviours result from suppressed primal frustrations and pains and that they then stay in the body as tensions and blocks which manifest as neuroses.

The aim of primal therapy is to take you back to what is called the "primal scene" when the suppression took place so that the pains and frustrations can be articulated and "released". This is a very intensive process and can take many years with several sessions a week and practitioners expect to see profound change Not available on the NHS. Cost pounds 30-pounds 40 per hour.! London Association of Primal Psychotherapists, 18a Laurier Road, London NW5 1SH (0171 267 9616)Rebirthing: when we are born there are often ambiguities or difficulties around the birth, either emotionally or physically. The baby is sensitive to this and, so the theory goes, it creates negative feelings of separateness which are repeated through life. By using breathing and reassurance techniques, the rebirthing therapist helps people "recreate" the feelings and offers the possibility of transforming them.

There is no set timescale to the therapy, but 10 sessions is standard. Rebirthing is only available privately, and is difficult to find. No central body regulates or accredits practitioners, so proceed with care. Contact a healing therapy centre for information on practitioners or contact the National Register of Hypnotherapists (see left), as some hypnotherapists are also trained in rebirthing.Autogenic Training: An anti-stress technique pioneered in Germany in the Twenties by Dr Johannes Schultz. It is based on a system of mental exercises learnt in a series of eight weekly lessons, and practised for a few minutes every day, designed to focus attention inwards in much the same way as a meditation Can be done individually or in groups.

Considered useful to de-stress people and for psychosomatic disorders Limited availability on the NHS. Private fees are between pounds 100-pounds 180 for the full course.! British Association for Autogenic Training and Therapy, Heath Cottage, Pitch Hill, Ewhurst, nr Cranleigh, Surrey GU6 7NPNeuro-Linguistic Programming: the belief is that our mind has neurological pathways which account for our personalities. NLP de-constructs the personality by focusing on language and patterns of behaviour; people are helped to see the effect their behaviour has on others Alternative strategies are offered. NLP is used in both clinical and commercial settings as part of management training courses.! The Association of Neuro-Linguistic Programming, PO Box 78, Stourbridge DY8 2YP (01384 443935)Creative Arts Psychotherapy: this uses the expressive arts such as art, drama, music and movement as vehicles for therapy. People are encouraged to express emotion through art which they cannot communicate verbally.

Especially good for children and helpful in a wide range of problems such as depression and eating disorders. Individually or in groups and although it may be on offer within the NHS, this is usually confined to special needs cases. Privately costs pounds 20-pounds 40 per session.! The Institute for Arts in Therapy and Education, The Windsor Centre, Windsor Street, London Nl 8QL (0171 704 2534)Psychodrama: Aims to get us acting out inner conflicts and feelings, rather than just talking about them This is done within a supportive, structured group. When the process is effective, emotions are unblocked; insight and catharsis are achieved.! British Psychodrama Association, 8 Rahere Road, Cowley, Oxford OX4 3QG (01865 715055)COUNSELLINGIn counselling, the therapist reflects back to the client what they are saying in order to help them become aware of what it is they are thinking, feeling and saying. Then, with the help of the counsellor, the client can look at the problem in other ways and choose different solutions.