Robert (Bob) Armstrong
Effectiveness and professional integrity
Since Bob Armstrong has continued to teach other counsellors and psychologists for many years, he has a broad range of experience. He is trained in a variety of approaches and has taught many of them over the years. He specializes in anxiety, relationships, depression, simple and complex trauma, performance enhancement, and parenting and family of origin issues. In addition, he is experienced in dealing with workplace issues and with those who are currently off work and on medical leave.
- Adlerian
- Cognitive-behavioural
- Neurobiology
- Systemic
- EMDR
- Gottman relationships
Therapeutic Approaches
Dr. Armstrong is trained in a variety of approaches and has taught many of them over the years. His primary method is Adlerian. Alfred Adler believed that humans, from the time of birth, strive to overcome dependency by becoming self-sufficient and to belong and bond with others. Through their early experience in life, and within the context of their genetic makeup, they develop characteristic patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving in order to achieve personal effectiveness and belonging. These typical patterns are often not conscious and can be difficult to change without consultation, even when they no longer produce the desired results. Thus, as people encounter the inevitable difficulties of life, they often find themselves unable to act in ways that are more effective. This is when an experienced psychologist can be very helpful.
Relationship Therapy
In relationships, couples often begin on a cooperative and constructive basis but as they begin to react to each other, things can get worse rather than better. Relationship Therapy can sometimes be as simple as clearing up misinterpretations and misunderstandings by learning better ways to communicate and solve problems. However, it is sometimes necessary to look at underlying expectations and personality issues which lead to discouragement, hurt and anger. This leads couples to more understanding and acceptance of each other and a willingness to change important things which can lead back to cooperation and goodwill. It is important for a therapist to take a positive, non-blaming approach in helping couples deal with their stuck position. Dr. Armstrong draws heavily on the work of John Gottman in couple therapy.