About My Counselling:
As a psychodynamic practitioner I am interested in listening to you and trying to help you understand how past experiences, often from childhood, affect your life today and the way you view yourself. Working together, I will encourage you to think in a different way about your past, present and future. I won't tell you what to do, be directive or give advice, but in the forming of our relationship you will find it empowers and equips you to make your own choices.
Our counselling sessions will offer you a safe and non-judgemental space to freely express any emotions and feelings and to help attain the personal growth you are striving for. Through regular sessions, which may run in the short or long-term, these can address a huge range of issues, including:
Counselling can also be a proactive choice to:
Our counselling sessions will offer you a safe and non-judgemental space to freely express any emotions and feelings and to help attain the personal growth you are striving for. Through regular sessions, which may run in the short or long-term, these can address a huge range of issues, including:
- Feeling overwhelmed and unable to cope or concentrate
- An inability to deal with general or work-related stress, or recover from stressful situations
- Lack of confidence, excessive shyness or low self esteem
- Feelings of depression (including postnatal depression), sadness, grief or emptiness
- Anxiety, panic attacks, mood swings and phobias
- Debilitating feelings of anger or fear
- Difficulty making or sustaining relationships, or repeatedly becoming involved in unsatisfying or destructive relationships
- Identity issues
- Sexuality and gender issues
- Difficulties in coming to terms with losses such as bereavement, separation, miscarriage or loss of employment
- Traumatic past events and experiences
- Self-harm and self-harming behaviours
- Obsessive behaviour
- Eating disorders
- Addictions
- Suicidal thoughts
Counselling can also be a proactive choice to:
- Understand longstanding patterns of behaviour and thought which may no longer be helpful
- Challenge blocks to creativity and facilitate personal development and growth
- Explore beliefs, hopes and ambitions for the future and their achievement
Frequently asked questions:
What is counselling?
Counselling falls under the umbrella term ‘talking therapies’ and allows people to discuss their problems and any difficult feelings they encounter in a safe, confidential environment. The term can mean different things to different people, but in general it is a process people seek when they want to change something in their lives or simply explore their thoughts and feelings in more depth.
My role is not to sit you down and tell you what to do - instead I will encourage you to talk about what's bothering you in order to uncover any root causes and identify your specific ways of thinking. Together, we may then look to create a plan of action to either help you reconcile your issues or help you to find ways of coping.
How can counselling help?
The way counselling can help will depend on the person receiving the treatment. For many, the fact that counselling offers a safe and confidential environment to speak in is all it takes. In life, what we say to others can sometimes have a knock-on effect, altering relationships and the way people see each other. Counselling eliminates this problem and offers you the space and freedom to explore your own thoughts with an unbiased party.
While I may not give you concrete advice or a checklist of things to do to feel better, what I will do is help you uncover your own insight and understanding of your problems providing you with the tools which will help you to resolve them on your own.
In the majority of cases, a single session will not be enough to help overcome any issues you're facing. Counselling is a journey, and it takes time and consistency to work effectively. Because of this, many people opt for regular counselling sessions to make the most of the process.
Counselling can help you understand yourself better and the way you think, which will ultimately help you develop a clearer understanding of your problems. The more armed with information you are, the easier it gradually becomes to navigate your way through any difficulties you are facing so that eventually you can come out the other side feeling more positive. Counselling can also help you understand other people's point of view better, which can shed light onto the way you interpret words or actions.
How do I know if I need counselling?
Counselling sessions can help you to gain clarity on an issue, change old patterns, untangle complex personal issues, or embark on a journey of self-development. You may seek counselling as a result of a crisis, or you may be encouraged to seek counselling by family members, friends or colleagues.
Do I have to be referred by my GP to receive counselling?
No. You don't need a referral to make an appointment for this service. Just contact me and I'll help you find the right service for your needs.
How long is each session?
Each session is 50 minutes.
What is the cost of counselling sessions?
Sessions are charged at 55 pounds per session (subject to annual review) and can be paid for by cash, cheque or by an online transfer. The first session is 75 pounds and will last one hour.
What do we talk about in first session?
During the first session, I would ask you questions and encourage you to describe yourself so we can get a sense of why you have come to seek psychotherapy. The session is also an opportunity for you to see whether you feel this might be the right place for you.
How long should I expect to continue counselling?
The length of your treatment will very much depend on your unique circumstances and needs, with six sessions often recommended and a review after that. Keep in mind that once you start sessions, new issues and angles can arise you were not aware existed that you then want to explore. It is of course possible to also see improvement faster than you expected.
Will my counselling sessions be confidential?
Yes, counselling sessions are confidential. The exception would be if you were to pose a danger to yourself or others, in which case the relevant parties would be notified.
My partner, friend, or family member really needs therapy. Can I refer someone for counselling?
You may be very concerned about someone's wellbeing and would like to see them have counselling. But it really is best if the person in question can reach out for support themselves. I am able to take enquiries from you on behalf of someone else, but you should have their full consent.
If you really feel you must suggest counselling to someone, do it in as calm and private a moment as possible. It's important you express your concerns in a judgement-free manner, and backed up by facts over hearsay. Make it clear you support him or her and merely want to see them be helped in feeling better. Then leave them to make the decision for themselves.
Counselling falls under the umbrella term ‘talking therapies’ and allows people to discuss their problems and any difficult feelings they encounter in a safe, confidential environment. The term can mean different things to different people, but in general it is a process people seek when they want to change something in their lives or simply explore their thoughts and feelings in more depth.
My role is not to sit you down and tell you what to do - instead I will encourage you to talk about what's bothering you in order to uncover any root causes and identify your specific ways of thinking. Together, we may then look to create a plan of action to either help you reconcile your issues or help you to find ways of coping.
How can counselling help?
The way counselling can help will depend on the person receiving the treatment. For many, the fact that counselling offers a safe and confidential environment to speak in is all it takes. In life, what we say to others can sometimes have a knock-on effect, altering relationships and the way people see each other. Counselling eliminates this problem and offers you the space and freedom to explore your own thoughts with an unbiased party.
While I may not give you concrete advice or a checklist of things to do to feel better, what I will do is help you uncover your own insight and understanding of your problems providing you with the tools which will help you to resolve them on your own.
In the majority of cases, a single session will not be enough to help overcome any issues you're facing. Counselling is a journey, and it takes time and consistency to work effectively. Because of this, many people opt for regular counselling sessions to make the most of the process.
Counselling can help you understand yourself better and the way you think, which will ultimately help you develop a clearer understanding of your problems. The more armed with information you are, the easier it gradually becomes to navigate your way through any difficulties you are facing so that eventually you can come out the other side feeling more positive. Counselling can also help you understand other people's point of view better, which can shed light onto the way you interpret words or actions.
How do I know if I need counselling?
Counselling sessions can help you to gain clarity on an issue, change old patterns, untangle complex personal issues, or embark on a journey of self-development. You may seek counselling as a result of a crisis, or you may be encouraged to seek counselling by family members, friends or colleagues.
Do I have to be referred by my GP to receive counselling?
No. You don't need a referral to make an appointment for this service. Just contact me and I'll help you find the right service for your needs.
How long is each session?
Each session is 50 minutes.
What is the cost of counselling sessions?
Sessions are charged at 55 pounds per session (subject to annual review) and can be paid for by cash, cheque or by an online transfer. The first session is 75 pounds and will last one hour.
What do we talk about in first session?
During the first session, I would ask you questions and encourage you to describe yourself so we can get a sense of why you have come to seek psychotherapy. The session is also an opportunity for you to see whether you feel this might be the right place for you.
How long should I expect to continue counselling?
The length of your treatment will very much depend on your unique circumstances and needs, with six sessions often recommended and a review after that. Keep in mind that once you start sessions, new issues and angles can arise you were not aware existed that you then want to explore. It is of course possible to also see improvement faster than you expected.
Will my counselling sessions be confidential?
Yes, counselling sessions are confidential. The exception would be if you were to pose a danger to yourself or others, in which case the relevant parties would be notified.
My partner, friend, or family member really needs therapy. Can I refer someone for counselling?
You may be very concerned about someone's wellbeing and would like to see them have counselling. But it really is best if the person in question can reach out for support themselves. I am able to take enquiries from you on behalf of someone else, but you should have their full consent.
If you really feel you must suggest counselling to someone, do it in as calm and private a moment as possible. It's important you express your concerns in a judgement-free manner, and backed up by facts over hearsay. Make it clear you support him or her and merely want to see them be helped in feeling better. Then leave them to make the decision for themselves.