What is Counselling and how can it help?
Counselling provides an opportunity to talk over a concern or difficulty in confidence so that psychological and emotional pain can be resolved.
The counsellor will listen to you, help you to understand your feelings and explore ways of making changes. You may find it helpful to look at how past experiences can affect present attitudes and responses. You will be encouraged to take an honest look at your life and how you relate to others.
Learning practical exercises such as stress management, self-awareness, communication, anger management or assertiveness skills will help you feel more relaxed, in control and able to cope. You may wish to explore creative techniques such as drawing, writing, dreamwork and imagery work during the therapeutic process.
The counsellor does not, as a rule, give advice, but will help you to make your own decisions. Please feel free to contact me for more information. I also give talks and do workshops.
Counselling can help with:
- stress
- anxiety
- depression
- addictions or eating disorders
- illness and/or disability
- bullying, work stress
- assault
- family and relationships
- self-confidence and self-esteem
- personal growth
- problem solving and creativity
- LOSS:
- bereavement
- miscarriage
- infertility
- LIFE CHANGES:
- marriage
- children
- moving house
- the menopause
- financial problems
- divorce
- retirement
- mid-life crisis etc.
As a humanistic counsellor, I believe that we are all unique and have potential for growth and transformation. Our quality of life is improved when we are self-directed and attend to our needs and relationships in a balanced way.
In practice I work eclectically, choosing techniques from a variety of disciplines: psychodynamic, person centred, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), gestalt, existential, transpersonal etc. according to the needs of the client. I am experienced at working in a time-limited, focussed way, usually between 6 and 12 sessions. Sessions last 1 hour and are weekly to begin with.
Assessment:
Counselling is not for everyone. A client needs to be
- able to communicate and be willing to reveal personal information
- have a capacity for reflection and motivation for change
- be committed to attending regular appointments
USEFUL LINKS
CPC - the website of Counsellors and Psychotherapists in Primary Care
MIND (National Association for Mental Health)
The Counselling Directory -a charity that helps people find a counsellor that suits their needs.
"To be what we are, and to become what we're capable of becoming is the only end of life."
Robert Louis Stevenson
