Therapeutic Counselling

Therapeutic counselling (more simply referred to as therapy) is the process of talking about and working through any personal issues that are affecting you emotionally.

My main approach is 'person-centred' which is a humanistic approach to counselling. Humanistic therapies focus on personal growth and development as well as enhancing your understanding of yourself. I will bring in techniques from other therapies if they might be helpful to you, including transactional analysis, gestalt and solution focussed therapies.

You will always be at the heart of every session.

You are invited to speak freely about whatever it is that you would like to talk about. I will be right there with you to hear everything you have to say and to hold space for you so that you can process your emotions.

As I am an experienced counsellor, you can be safe in the knowledge that I will not be afraid to go to great depths with you, should you wish to. You will be able to talk openly without any judgement or analysis from me. You will be able to really 'go there', wherever that may be for you, if that is what you need to do and you feel OK to do so.

If you have never had counselling before, it is entirely normal to feel slightly apprehensive initially, about sharing your deepest feelings, and often secrets, to someone who is essentially a complete stranger. I'd like to reassure you that I will never make you talk about anything you don't want to talk about. I will take your lead. The first few sessions are essential for building a strong therapeutic relationship.

We will get to know each other, build up trust and understanding and work together to help you reach a place you'd like to get to.

Even if you've had counselling in the past you may have a very different experience of counselling with me. Not only are there different approaches in counselling, every single counsellor is different, bringing in their own personalities. One of the most important factors in successful counselling is finding the right match for you. After all, as in life, if you don't gel with someone you're not likely to open up to them.

Finding someone you can trust is an absolute necessity.

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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 to have suffered any major trauma in your life to have counselling. Just to have a genuine desire to move forwards in your life is enough.

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, 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:

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

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 is to establish a good therapeutic, working relationship, and continuing weekly allows you to get the most out of the therapy. After this, however, you may decide to continue weekly or move to fortnightly, monthly, or even just as and when you need a ‘check in’.

Benefits of counselling

Here are just some of the potential benefits that 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 anxiety
Resolution of problems
Increased self-awareness

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. 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 is 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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Have more questions about counselling?