WHAT IS COUNSELLING?

We often experience emotional or personal problems that we find hard to cope with alone. These problems may be difficulties in relationships, new circumstances and/or unexplained changes in mood, such as feeling low, anxious or stressed. When this happens, some people find it useful to see a professional counsellor. Therapy offers you a safe, confidential place to talk about your life and anything that may be confusing, painful or uncomfortable. It allows you to talk with someone who is trained to listen attentively and to help you improve things.

IS COUNSELLING WHAT I NEED?

Only you can decide whether you wish to try counselling or psychotherapy. Just talking to someone confidentially who is not a friend or family member can make all the difference. Counselling or psychotherapy provides a regular time for you to explore your thoughts and feelings and talk about your problems. A Counsellor can help you develop better ways of coping, helping you to move forward and live the life you want to live. I offer a reduced rate for the first session so that you can ask all the questions you need to try and help you decide.

HOW DOES COUNSELLING WORK?

In general, therapy helps by giving you the opportunity to explore your emotional difficulties so you can better understand them. In turn, this can help you discover ways of changing things for the better. Changes could be anything from learning new coping skills to deepening your understanding of yourself. All therapies should involve a trained therapist and sessions are on a one to one basis. Counselling will enable you to have a better understanding of yourself. There may be past or present issues that you wish to work through. In Counselling we can work towards a solution or an acceptance that some things we just unable to change. I work with the philosophy that the client is the expert and with this in mind we work with your individuality and uniqueness in finding a way forward.

WHAT HAPPENS IN COUNSELLING?

Counselling is a pro active process that integrates talking, thinking and doing. The Counsellor may prompt you by asking questions and making observations that will enable you to look at things in different ways and help you to find alternative ways to deal with your problems. You will be actively involved in all aspects of the Counselling process.

HOW LONG DOES COUNSELLING TAKE?

This will depend on the nature of your problem and I would endeavor to discuss this with you during our initial consultation.  

IS COUNSELLING CONFIDENTIAL?

The contents of the counselling sessions remain confidential.  As part of ethical practice I undertake bi-weekly supervision and may discuss clients, maintaining anonymity at all times. The only time confidentiality would be broken is if I felt you were going to harm yourself or others - if possible that would be discussed with you first. We will talk about confidentially during our initial session. I am registered with the Information Commissioner/Data Protection Registrar.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT THERAPIES USED?

Psychological therapies generally fall into three categories. These are behavioural therapies, which focus on cognitions and behaviours,  psychodynamic therapies, which focus on the unconscious relationship patterns that evolved from childhood, and humanistic therapies, which focus on looking at the 'here and now'.

Integrative Counselling means that I work within these three distinct models, which gives more flexibility to my work and in turn produces a unique therapy adapted to suit what the individual client may want and need.

WHAT TRAINING/QUALIFICATIONS DO I HAVE?

I am a fully qualified Integrative Counsellor and have completed training at post graduate level (Advanced Diploma). I also have additional qualifications in Counselling as outlined on the ‘My Qualifications’ page. I am a registered and accredited member of the BACP; the body which sets ethical guidelines for practice.

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

I charge £50 per 50 minute session. If you wish I can provide an initial FREE 20 minute telephone consultation session.  You can ask any questions and see if working with me works for you. 

CALL 07917 518700