My counselling approach

I believe we are all experts on our own lives. Via a supportive counselling relationship clients can start to find the answers they’ve been looking for inside themselves.

I use an integrative counselling approach, in which the therapeutic relationship is at the heart of the work. Research has shown that the relationship between client and counsellor is paramount in how successful the therapy is, which is why it is so important to find the right therapist for you. 

Duration of therapy

I currently offer both time-limited, or short-term therapy, of between six and 20 sessions, or longer term, open-ended therapy. We can discuss during our initial telephone call which duration might be most suitable for you.

What to talk about

You can decide how to use the sessions and what you wish to bring to therapy. We might explore how something from your past is impacting your present, something that’s been bothering you this week, a relationship you’re struggling with, or anything else that’s on your mind and you would like to share.

Explorations will then be underpinned by a number of theories, a few of which I have briefly written about below:

Psychodynamic therapy

This stresses the importance of the subconscious and the past in shaping our present day behaviour. Our work will look at trying to bring some of these unconscious thoughts into consciousness in the hope that this will enable you to move forward with more control to live the life that you wish.

Attachment styles

As part of the process we might explore your attachment style. Attachment styles are ways of relating with others which are built during our early years. This style can then go on to unconsciously guide the way we relate to others for the rest of our life. Understanding your attachment style can enable increased self-awareness and significantly aid in your patterns of relating with others

Person-centered therapy

I also use Carl Roger’s person-centred approach, which is led by the belief that we all have the capacity for personal growth and change, it is just that we need the right conditions for this. These conditions include feeling fully accepted, and empathised with – conditions I always strive to provide my clients with during our sessions. .  

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can also be used to look at your thoughts and behaviours, and how these are affecting the way you feel. Via this, practical solutions can be found to help you feel better in the present. 

Confidentiality

An important part of therapy is confidentiality. Everything you talk about in counselling will remain between us.