What is counselling?
"As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live". Goethe
I offer a respectful, understanding and accepting therapeutic relationship to allow you to express yourself, to feel understood and accepted. It can be helpful to explore what has happened in the past and what is happening now to identify and change destructive patterns of behaviour; to feel less burdened by unhelpful emotions and thoughts. You can become more pro-active and in charge of your life.
As an integrative counsellor I work primarily person centred – drawing on understanding from Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy, psycho-dynamic, self-psychology and systems-based approaches.
I have a particular interest in working with people eating disorders. I have extensive experience and training and offer specialist supervision to other professionals.
I have a wide range of experience in working with people with a wide range of needs including
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life adjustments
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relationship difficulties
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depression
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post traumatic stress disorder
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men's issues
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anxiety related conditions
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grief/loss
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personal growth
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addictions
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anger management
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self-esteem/confidence concerns
I am well versed in working with people from a wide spectrum of backgrounds and cultures. I have a sensitive understanding of the influence of context on each individual's well-being.
Investing in yourself
Choosing the right therapist is important. Experts agree that the working relationship with the counsellor is the key component of successful therapy
Counselling is an investment in yourself and exploring what will work for you is the first step. The first session we meet is an opportunity for us to get to know one another and to gain a mutual understanding of what has brought you to counselling. Subsequent sessions can then be agreed and planned. It is helpful in the first instance to agree on a number of sessions. This can be revised if necessary.
Single-session therapy can also be provided. You may have an issue that you need to talk through. It may a decision you need to make, a behaviour you want to change or you may just want to be listened to.