Therapeutic Counselling
Therapeutic counselling, commonly known as therapy, is the process of discussing and working through personal issues that impact you emotionally.
My approach to therapy is rooted in 'humanistic counselling'. You, as an individual with your unique personal story, will be at the core of each session. This supportive and therapeutic method emphasizes your personal growth and development while enhancing your understanding of yourself. My practice is deeply influenced by Carl Rogers' person-centred theory, and I incorporate concepts from various humanistic modalities, including transactional analysis, gestalt, and solution-focused therapy, tailored to your specific needs.
I also embrace creativity in my approach, thinking outside the box, and utilizing metaphors, objects, toys, and drawing or diagrams to aid our discussions.
You are encouraged to speak freely about whatever you wish to discuss. I will be right there with you, listening to everything you share and providing a safe space for you to process your emotions.
As an experienced counsellor, you can trust that I am willing to explore deep topics with you if that is your desire. You will have the opportunity to express yourself openly, without any judgment or analysis from me. You can truly 'go there', wherever that may lead you, as long as you feel comfortable doing so.
If you are new to counselling, it is completely normal to feel apprehensive about sharing your deepest feelings and secrets with someone who is essentially a stranger. I want to reassure you that I will never pressure you to discuss anything you are not ready to share. I will follow your lead, as the initial sessions are crucial for building a strong therapeutic relationship.
Together, we will get to know each other, fostering trust and understanding as we work towards helping you reach a place you aspire to be.
Even if you have experienced counselling before, your journey with me may feel very different. Each counsellor has their unique style, and one of the most critical elements of successful counselling is finding the right match for you. As in life, if you don't connect with someone, it's challenging to open up to them.
Finding a trustworthy counsellor is essential.
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Is Counselling for me?
Counselling is for anyone who wants to come along and address something that is affecting them in some way. You don't have to be in the depths of depression or have suffered any major trauma in your life to seek counselling. A genuine desire for personal growth and moving forward in your life is enough. This aligns with Carl Rogers' theory of humanistic counselling, which emphasizes the importance of self-actualization and personal development.
Often, people say they feel as though someone else deserves their session more than they do. This is absolutely not the case. You are just as entitled to come along as anyone else, and I will never judge you for whatever you wish to talk about. I currently offer counselling for anyone from the age of 16 years old and beyond.
Some of the reasons you may be considering counselling include:
- Unfulfilled potential
- Lack of meaning or direction in life
- Work-related stress
- Depression
- Rape (recent or historical)
- Abuse
- Domestic violence
- Low self-esteem
- Lack of confidence
- Childhood issues
- Sexuality issues/confusion
- Self-harm
- Trauma/PTSD
- Shame
- Guilt
- Worry
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Anger
- Fear
- Loss
- Bereavement
- Change in circumstances
- Life transitions
- Identity issues
- PMS, PMDD
- Perimenopause, menopause
Although it is up to you to decide on the frequency of sessions, I would strongly suggest you have at least 4-6 sessions weekly initially. This helps to establish a good therapeutic working relationship, allowing you to get the most out of the therapy, in line with the humanistic counselling approach. After this, you may choose to continue weekly or adjust to fortnightly, monthly, or just as and when you need a ‘check in’.
Benefits of counselling
Here are just some of the potential benefits that counselling, grounded in Carl Rogers' theory of humanistic counselling, can provide:
- Improved self-esteem & confidence
- Self-acceptance
- Increased control of your life
- Come to terms with the past
- Improved assertiveness
- A sense of empowerment
- Clarity of issues
- Better expression and management of your emotions
- See things more objectively
- Change self-defeating behaviour
- Relief from depression
- Understand and manage stress
- Resolution of problems
- Increased self-awareness
- Less fearful
- More able to 'let go' of things that are holding you back
Some of the benefits that my past clients have found helpful have been described as being able to:
"put the jigsaw pieces together and make more sense of your life and myself"
"have a look inside that box that's been locked away for so long"
"unravel that big, knotted ball of wool"
"pick out all of the beans from the tin of baked beans in tomato sauce, because I like the beans and I don't like the sauce!" (Yes, that has been said! Just one of the many metaphors that I've heard!)
As your counsellor, I promise that you will be fully accepted for who you are and what you say, reflecting the principles of humanistic counselling. I will provide you with a supportive, non-judgemental setting in which to explore any issue you need. You will be able to express your feelings openly with me, and I will be respectful at all times. Your wellbeing and personal growth are my priority.
You may decide to come along for a check-in even after a year or two has passed, because that's what you might need, and that's ok! Life happens! We can discuss whatever it is you feel you need at any time.
My door is always open, so to speak. I offer this so that you will never be limited, nor ever have to ‘start all over again’ with anyone else. In contrast, you are never under any obligation to stay or continue. You must always do what is right for you.
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"Life, at it's best, is a flowing, changing process" ~ Carl Rogers