I am an integrative counsellor, which means I use a toolbox of different theories to complement my work. I tailor my approach to the needs of the individual depending on what they present.
Below is an introduction to the theories I practice when working with clients.
Psychodynamic counselling can help clients understand long-standing conflicts from the past, which supports the client to become more self-aware and bring what is unconscious into consciousness. It focuses on the fact that many prickly personal troubles in life are the result of hidden mental processes.
This therapy is helpful when working with depression in those who have lost meaning in their lives and have difficulty forming or maintaining personal relationships.
Systemic counselling seeks to understand the individual in relationship with others, rather than in isolation. It is helpful to identify deeply entrenched patterns within an individual's relationship and with family members.
This therapy focuses on understanding and recognising unhealthy patterns in relationship dynamics so they can be altered within existing systems, rather than examining the sources.
It is not a directive approach. Instead, individuals learn how to recognise patterns for themselves, with the support of the counsellor. In practice, it is helpful when exploring a range of issues, including depression, substance abuse, anxiety disorders, panic disorders, eating disorders, body-image issues, relationship problems, low self-esteem - the list is not exhaustive.
Transactional Analysis (TA) invites contracting for change. I believe people are capable of deciding what they want for their lives, but for whatever reason, feel stuck and need support to find their way.
As a TA counsellor, I help facilitate a client to understand their internal processes, to understand their script and to focus on the present day, applying adult thinking, to reality test their capacity to change and challenge their out of date decisions, by making new ones.
The concept of using TA in counselling addresses a person's communications and interactions to develop and strengthen the belief that every person has value and can achieve personal growth and positive change.
Note: I am fully insured through Holistic Insurance Services and I work within the guidelines of BACP's Ethical Framework.
My Approach
I am an integrative counsellor, which means I use a toolbox of different theories to complement my work. I tailor my approach to the needs of the client(s) depending on what they present. My work with you can be short-term, to concentrate on a solution to a particular problem, or long-term when exploring deeper, entrenched issues.
Below is an introduction to the theories I practice when working with clients.
Psychodynamic counselling can help clients understand long-standing conflicts from the past, which supports the client to become more self-aware and bring what is unconscious into consciousness. It focuses on the fact that many prickly personal troubles in life are the result of hidden mental processes.
This therapy is helpful when working with depression in those who have lost meaning in their lives and have difficulty forming or maintaining personal relationships.
Systemic counselling seeks to understand the individual in relationship with others, rather than in isolation. It is helpful to identify long established patterns within an individual's relationship and with family members.
This therapy focuses on understanding and recognising unhealthy patterns in relationship dynamics so they can be altered within existing systems, rather than examining the sources.
It is not a directive approach. Instead, individuals learn how to recognise patterns for themselves, with the support of the counsellor. In practice, it is helpful when exploring a range of issues, including depression, substance abuse, anxiety disorders, panic disorders, eating disorders, body-image issues, relationship problems, low self-esteem - the list is not exhaustive.
Transactional Analysis (TA) invites contracting for change. We are all capable of deciding what we want in our lives. Although for whatever reason, obstacles can get in the way, leading us to feel stuck and in need of a guiding hand to help us through.
As a TA counsellor, I help facilitate a client to understand their internal processes, to recognise their script and to focus on the here and now. Applying adult thinking, to reality check their capacity to change and challenge historic thinking for new and more effective ones.
The concept of using TA in counselling addresses a person's communications and interactions to develop and strengthen the belief that every person has value and can achieve personal growth and positive change.
"You can clutch the past so tightly to your chest that it leaves your arms too full to embrace the present".
Jan Glidewell, American columnist
How Counselling can help you
Counselling provides a safe and confidential space in which you can address issues in an environment which provides empathy, support with informed understanding with a non-judgmental view.
It can help you to make sense of feelings and thoughts that cause difficulty, preventing you to move forward. My aim is to help clients feel empowered by taking control and moving past obstacles, which stop us from feeling whole.
You can explore and work through unresolved past experiences allowing you a greater sense of autonomy in your daily functioning with a sense of hope and positivity for the future.
Having greater awareness of ourselves encourages the ability to cope with everyday situations in life, encouraging the growth of new outlooks to access alternative ways of thinking.