What is counselling?
My belief is the most important thing in counselling is the relationship.
Research has shown that the relationship is key to therapeutic change in whatever modality of counselling you choose. I create a safe space, without judgement so you feel able to share. Counselling can be a place where you are truly heard, maybe for the first time. Where someone is there just for you. Where stories can be told and received in a warm empathic way. Counselling can be used to look at the past to understand yourself.
I am a Humanistic Integrative Counsellor.
What does that really mean?
In a nutshell, it means I have studied different counselling theories and incorporate them into my practice.
I use Person Centred, TA ( Transactional Analysis) Gestalt, CBT and creative tools. I also provide ecotherapy - walk innovation.
The Person Centred approach puts the client first.
Have you ever spoken to someone and they offer you advice, it is well meant but they don't really understand you. You feel misunderstood and possibly more isolated.
Person Centred is the foundation, it is a warm, empathic space with no judgement. I will not offer you advice because I am not the expert on you. I believe that you are the expert, I will listen and reflect and together we will break down those walls sometimes brick by brick, sometimes with a sledgehammer! To be truly heard, to have someone see things through your eyes is one of the most powerful things a person can experience. This alone can empower a person to promote change they desire.
TA can offer an understanding of relationships with others and yourself, it expands self awareness.
What rules do we give ourselves? How do we speak to ourselves? Where did that come from? How we react to others?
With these insights of awareness it gives you a choice. And choice is empowerment.
The Gestalt approach looks at what is happening to you in the here and now.
Have you ever had a reaction to something but you don't understand why?
Gestalt looks at what triggered you, is it in the past or present? What brought you to counselling now? It gives you understanding of what is happening to you in the present, how it is affecting you and there may be bigger issues but piece by piece you'll get there. An example of this is a rumbling tummy when your busy, you need to eat so that you can concentrate.
CBT and Creative tools are used as way of looking at things in a different perspective than talking, visual and tactile sensations can enhance the process. Walk innovation approach is taking counselling outside, research has shown that viewing scenes of nature helps reduce stress and increase pleasant feelings, combining emotional and physical well being.
I offer a bespoke service, it is not a case of one size fits all. You are in the driving seat, you have full autonomy of our sessions together, they will be customised to you. It is what you need to promote growth and change.
