How counselling helps
Making the step to find a counsellor and ask for help is a positive one.
Counselling is a talking therapy, providing you with a confidential safe place to be heard, experience relief, and gain awareness with a trained professional who works with you to help you find meaning and put the pieces of your story together. The therapeutic process is also about celebrating your strengths and developing self compassion.
Counselling is about you
I am here to understand and respond to your individual needs. Counselling is about listening to you with empathy and without judgement. It is your choice which path you take. I appreciate that time and cost is a factor when making the decision to have counselling. This is why I adopt a contractual approach to address what you wish to explore, within the scope of your individual resources.
Frequently Asked questions
Why do people come to therapy?
People come to therapy for many reasons including anxiety, loss, anger or low confidence. Others may be experiencing relationship difficulties, or wish to better understand themselves and why they think, feel and behave as they do.
Not everybody who comes for counselling has a specific problem. Sometimes people want to explore a general feeling that their lives are not quite right; to develop a purpose, and to learn how to make conscious and more authentic choices and decisions for themselves.
How often and long do I have to attend?
You may wish to engage in a short term piece of counselling or on a longer, more in-depth presenting issue. Regularity is important and depending on your need I recommend weekly or fortnightly appointments. Please note that the amount of time required and the depth of change will depend on the circumstances you have encountered.
What is the aim of therapy?
The aim of my therapeutic work is to support you in:
· fully understanding what your current issues are,
· identifying what you would like instead,
· planning how to make this happen,
· making the changes,
· living a happier and more fulfilled life.
Is it confidential?
Counselling is confidential except in exceptional circumstances, which will be explained to you in the initial meeting.
What is the difference between talking to a friend and a talking to a counsellor?
Sometimes talking to a friend can be helpful and I will often encourage clients to use their family and friends. However there are some disadvantages to using friends as your only confidants and support.
Friends and family could feel a conflict of loyalty and find it hard to keep things confidential. They may become upset themselves by what you are telling them and could become upset if you don’t accept their advice.
My training means that I have formal support and a work structure which helps me to deal with upsetting and difficult situations; friends may begin to feel overburdened, especially if they have their own problems too.