What is Counselling?
Counselling is a supportive and confidential process that helps individuals explore their thoughts, feelings and behaviours in a safe environment and express themselves without judgement. This safe space encourages exploration and understanding of your challenges. Counselling is a collaborative approach where both you and the counsellor will work together to gain an understanding, reach a level of acceptance, and make changes. Life’s difficulties are an inescapable part of the human experience; however, counselling can provide significant support, helping you navigate these challenges with greater ease and understanding.
Talking to a counsellor can help increase your awareness of how you are feeling or bring a level of understanding that reduces the distress or unhappiness. Some of the most important aspects of counselling is receiving acknowledgement of your feelings and your situation.
Therapeutic relationships formed during counselling guide clients to a safe place where they can face, experience, and own their upset. The feeling of being properly heard and understood is deeply transforming and healing.
Imagine a space where your pain is acknowledged and validated, where you are not just another person but a unique individual with a story worth understanding. It is not about giving advice or telling you what to do. It is fundamentally time set aside by you and your counsellor to look at what has brought you to therapy. This may include talking about life events (past and present).
“It is the client who knows what hurts, what directions to go, what problems are crucial, what experiences have been deeply buried”
- Carl Rogers
My Approach
My approach is integrative and fundamentally person-centred, whereby I believe you are the expert in your life. As an integrative counsellor, I draw on various therapeutic approaches to meet the needs of each client. This allows me to be flexible and responsive to your individual circumstances. However, at the heart of my practice is a person-centred approach which means that you will be treated with dignity, respect, and experience an atmosphere of warmth, non-judgement, empathy and understanding. I prioritise your perspective, feelings and experiences, ensuring that our work is centred around you. I adopt a reflective stance which means I regularly review your counselling with you.
By integrating different therapeutic techniques, I can tailor our sessions to what feels most helpful for you. Whether its exploring emotions, developing coping strategies, or addressing specific issues, I will adapt my approach as needed. I may integrate elements of psychoeducation or incorporate techniques from a solution focused approach, or psychodynamic approaches, depending on what aligns with your needs and goals.
I believe in the power of connection and understanding. I am dedicated to helping you uncover your strengths and achieve your goals. Whether you are facing anxiety, depression, relationship issues or life transitions, I offer tailored counselling to meet your specific needs.