The S.A.F.E Model FAQs2020-08-27T15:18:05+00:00

S.A.F.E Model FAQs

It is rare for anyone to embark on seeing a therapist when they are happy and peaceful, so by the time clients consider gaining professional help, they are normally highly stressed or in crisis.

Using my S.A.F.E Model, I help clients manage stress and recover from negative thoughts affecting behaviours.

On average, I speak to over 30 clients a week who are in some form of crisis or extremely stressed. It didn’t take long for me to see patterns emerge in the components that make up these periods in our lives.

My belief is that stress is almost always caused by perceived negative changes that go on in our life; e.g. bereavement, divorce, redundancy, bankruptcy, birth of a child, etc. Each and every one of us experience life’s events differently, what may be stressful to one may not have any effect on another, we’re all unique, but we all encounter stress at some point in our lives.

The model works on the belief that; every feeling a client has may be condensed into 4 Core Moods.
S.A.F.E is the acronym to help us remember them.
• S = Sadness
• A = Anger
• F = Fear
• E = Enlightenment/Enjoyment/Euphoria (Peace/Happiness/Acceptance/Forgiveness – In short Unconditional Love)

In 2012 I gained my B.A.C.P. Accreditation which re-awakened my interest in researching to find a Psychotherapy model that was free of jargon and anyone could use that would not be at odds with their own modality.

I evolved my S.A.F.E. model because I wanted to find a way of helping someone in crisis within limited time, sometimes I only have a 30/40-minute telephone call with a client (if their employers are too penny-pinching to purchase more than a “one off call” for their employees!).

After 15 minutes of listening to the clients presenting issues, I begin to apply my S.A.F.E model.

The model is put together from my own life experiences, academic study, further training and my Supervision training with Robin Shohet. In addition to my Integrative Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy I have studied Mindfulness with Prof Mark Williams and see his book “Mindfulness – A Practical Guide to finding peace in a frantic World” as “The Bible” on how to bring our minds into the present moment. This is difficult to do but with the right techniques and regular practice I do believe it is possible to live in a state of Enjoyment 80%-90% of our life.

Another huge influence on this S.A.F.E. model was Gill Edward’s book, “Life is a Gift” and I would strongly recommend this to anyone who wants to examine ways of ‘getting into the flow’ and gain a more positive and peaceful outlook on life.

My training in Brief Solution Focused Therapy has had huge influence on this model.  It has allowed me to see the great value of directing a client to come into the present moment and focus on a preferred future.  In other words, to focus on the here and now and what is working well, and then inviting the client to focus on the solution that will give them a preferred future, which since experiencing this model of therapy they are now successfully doing.

Finally, a Rogerian approach underpins any work I do. So, if you feel unable to embrace the 3 core conditions of genuineness, empathy and unconditional love in your work you will have less success with the S.A.F.E. model.

If you’d like to find out more about my S.A.F.E model and how it might help you, or your own clients, please do get in touch: apollopsychotherapy@gmail.com

Copyright 2012-2017 Jonathan Stubbs, Apollo Supervision and Psychotherapy.The S.A.F.E Psychotherapy Model has been created by Jonathan Stubbs.
No part of this S.A.F.E Model may be re-produced in any way without the prior written permission of the author, Jonathan Stubbs.

Take our SAFE Stress Questionnaire

Are you unsure if you need counselling? Take our online questionnaire to gain your SAFE score and help in understanding your mood.

Give me a call on 07836 355 900 or email me at apollopsychotherapy@gmail.com
if you would like any further information

All calls and emails are dealt with by me, so are in the strictest confidence.

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