What is counselling?
Counselling provides a safe and supportive environment in which to talk through your thoughts and problems and reflect on past and present events with a knowledgeable, non-judgemental professional. It gives you a confidential place to 'let off steam' and express your feelings.
I will listen and help you explore and make sense of your feelings and behaviour. As counselling progresses you may gain insights and work with me to find more helpful ways of coping with problems and feelings.
If it might be useful, I may give you self help tasks in between sessions such as keeping a diary or monitoring how you are thinking and feeling.
We may also work on guided visualisation or relaxation exercises to reduce stress and anxiety and provide you with internal resources so that you feel safe to work on what you want to.
Many people have found the support given by the counsellor beneficial during a difficult time in their life.
Counselling can give you an opportunity to consider what options are open to you and decide upon any changes you may wish to make.
Sessions consist of one hour appointments, usually weekly. Regular attendance is necessary in order to make good progress.
Both short and longer term counselling can be offered.
If appropriate, for example, in the case of traumatic memories I may use a specific treatment protocol such as EMDR. For further information about EMDR click here and here. To read a newspaper article about EMDR from April 2015, click here.
Who can benefit from counselling?
It is a matter of personal choice but some reasons maybe for:·
finding it difficult to come to terms with changes such as serious illness, disability, bereavement, separation or divorce, becoming a parent
being troubled by intrusive thoughts or memories
experiencing relationship difficulties
feeling depressed
feeling anxious
experiencing a lack of self confidence or self esteem
have experienced a traumatic event eg a car accident
feel stressed.
What should I talk about?
You may have a clear idea of what you want to talk about and what your goals may be for counselling. Sometimes we feel overwhelmed by many issues and it can be hard to know where to start. It helps me to get a general outline of your life and for you to tell me what's important to know about you. I will listen and ask questions to help you. I give you space to reflect but I don't sit in silence.
What benefits can be expected?
This will partly depend on what you decide you want to get out of counselling. My aim is to improve the quality of your life and help you feel you have more personal resources. We will work towards your goals together.
Some of the benefits may include:
- greater self awareness and understanding
- improved relationships
- better self esteem
- increased ability to cope with problems
- reduced stress and anxiety
- easing the acute pain of loss
- having time and space to think and to air your feelings with someone