Counselling is a form of psychological or talking therapy that offers people a chance to change how they feel and to live a more satisfactory way of life. It provides a safe and confidential place where you will be heard and able to discuss, explore and understand your feelings and thoughts. This may be a difficulty; with life; or loss of a sense of direction or purpose. It is not easy to see a counsellor for the first time, and there is often a degree of anxiety for the client, and it is not unusual to feel reluctant to share personal information.
The aim of the counsellor is to help you discover new perspectives, and enhance awareness, enabling you to recognise and accept more aspects of yourself, and how you relate to other people and situations. The role of the counsellor is not usually to give advice, but to increase self-responsibility, so that you understand more fully how you are, and empowering yourself to move forward.
My main theoretical approach is person-centred, where particular emphasis must be paid to the relationship between counsellor and client, as a means of healing and change, thus relating with integrity and respect in a non-judgemental way. However, I am integral in my approach and often draw upon other therapeutic techniques, and will work in the approach that I feel most appropriate to your situation.
Face-to-face counselling, individual and couples counselling. Sometimes it is a ‘one off’ consultation session, and in itself, has the potential to be very helpful to the client. Mostly, however, ongoing contact with clients will be arranged. The client has the opportunity to decide whether or not to continue with the counselling. I work in both long and short-term therapy.