Counselling

There are times in our lives when we need someone to talk to, to share what our problems are. If we speak to family or close friends we are often afraid of what they may think of us. This is where I come in. I can offer a safe place where you will be able to explore your inner most thoughts, feelings and desires in complete confidence without being judged or criticised.

Counselling for some people when coming to therapy for the first time can be a little puzzling as it may be different from what they expected. Perhaps they expected it to be like the relationship they had with their doctor or their best friend. The counselling relationship is neither one of these. People very much have their own idea of what counselling is.

So what is counselling?

Counselling or Psychotherapy are terms used to envelop the various types of talking therapies, though counselling is also a therapy in its own right .
The counsellor is a person who has trained and qualified to use different therapy approaches with you the client.
It gives you an opportunity to talk about whatever is troubling you. To feel you are listened to, assisting you to understand feelings, thoughts and behaviours which prevent you from achieving your aims.
To enable you to have a better understanding of yourself
Counselling can help you work out these difficult feelings, maybe to see things from a different perspective with the aim of making changes and enabling you live your life more positively
Confidentiality and trust is an essential part of building a good client /therapist relationship. Counsellors usually explain at the initial session what their policy is regarding confidentiality for example how any information is stored.

What counselling isn’t?

Being judged
Trying to sort out your problem/s for you
Like talking to a friend or relative
The counsellor imposing their own views and perspectives on you
Saying what they think you want to hear
Being “cured”
Being emotionally involved with you
Expecting you to do what I would do if confronted by a similar problem

My approach to counselling is:

I have an integrative approach to counselling using a range of therapeutic models which enables me to be flexible so I do not work to any fixed programme. It is important that you find the right counsellor to help you explore your issues and what actions are needed to overcome these. Giving you back the ability to see a clearer picture of the way to a more meaningful, positive future. In this way counselling will help you to take charge of your life.

First meetings are always important and this is where we will discuss how you would like us to work together looking to see what your goals are and the best way for you to approach them. In empathic surroundings you will have space and a safe place to work through any difficult emotions and issues.

One of the areas that I anspecialise in is addictions I have a wealth of knowledge especially around alcohol problems and helping friends and relatives of people who suffer from these issues.