About Counselling and Psychotherapy
The process of counselling and psychotherapy work is to enhance self-knowledge, to increase your resources and choices in life. Exploring your thoughts, feelings and experiences to gain clarity, provide new perspectives or explore changes you may be able to make in order to reach your goals, and experience life more enjoyable. At its most effective, I believe therapy can help people to transform their lives through exploring solutions to present difficulties that are causing your unhappiness or helping you live more creatively with that which is not possible to change, As well as these 'active' aspects of therapy, I aim to provide you with the time to reflect on yourself and your lifetime, and to do so with warmth, empathy and understanding. In this world of constant demands, having a space in which to do so is often not available to us.
I have learnt through my clients, that no one way of approaching an issue can be applied to everyone. Each person is a unique individual and I respect their thoughts and feelings as such. I believe creating a space to allow expression of whatever is on a client's mind and letting them know that they will not be judged, hopefully gives them a sense of freedom and validation. I consider it a privilege that someone places their trust in me and I can offer a safe, confidential and quiet space in which to do so.
Should you choose to work together, we will initially explore what you hope to get out of therapy. Working as an Integrative Counsellor and Psychotherapist, I blend different theoretical models such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Psychodynamic, Person-Centred and Mindfulness Based Approaches to provide an individually tailored therapy best suited to your goals.
I have learnt through my clients, that no one way of approaching an issue can be applied to everyone. Each person is a unique individual and I respect their thoughts and feelings as such. I believe creating a space to allow expression of whatever is on a client's mind and letting them know that they will not be judged, hopefully gives them a sense of freedom and validation. I consider it a privilege that someone places their trust in me and I can offer a safe, confidential and quiet space in which to do so.
Should you choose to work together, we will initially explore what you hope to get out of therapy. Working as an Integrative Counsellor and Psychotherapist, I blend different theoretical models such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Psychodynamic, Person-Centred and Mindfulness Based Approaches to provide an individually tailored therapy best suited to your goals.
What are these theoretical models ?
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is a collaborative, practical and solution focused approach to emotional problems whereby the client and therapist work together towards understanding difficulties in terms of the relationship between their thoughts, feelings, body responses and behaviour. CBT is based on the concept that how we think about a situation affects the way we act. In turn our actions can affect how we think and feel. The therapist and client work together in enabling the client to change their behaviours, or their thinking patterns, or both of these.
Psychodynamic
This approach aims to shed light on thoughts, feelings and behaviours that presently you may not be fully aware of. It aims to explore patterns that might have developed throughout your childhood or personal history, that are now repeating in your adult life. The focus is on how past experiences may be contributing to present feelings and experiences because painful issues in the present will often have their roots in the past.
Person-Centred Approach
The person-centred approach is based on the theory and philosophy of Dr. Carl Rogers. It is a non-directive approach to being with another, that believes in the others potential and ability to make the right choices for themselves, regardless of the therapist's own values, beliefs and ideas.
Mindfulness Based Approaches
Mindfulness based approaches are designed to deliberately focus one's attention on the present experience in a way that is non-judgemental. The practice requires that one intentionally directs focus away from states of mind that would otherwise occupy them, such as frightening or worrisome thoughts, and instead observe and accept the present situation and all it has to offer, regardless of whether that is good or bad. Mindfulness based approaches are becoming widely accepted methods for relieving symptoms related to many psychological issues.