What is Counselling/Therapy?
Counselling/Therapy at
You have taken the decision to find a therapist, well done, I know it may not have been easy, but you have taken the most difficult step. As your counsellor, I am here to listen to you, support and guide you, in a safe space, without prejudice or judgment.
We will quickly get to know what works for you, and how we can make the most progress. I use a variety of techniques, working creatively, talking, and listening, so that together we reach a solid understanding of the challenges you face. Working together to help you find your inner strength and resilience, equipping you to confidently live a more fulfilling future.
Therapy is a valuable chance to make sense of your world, and develop a professional relationship based on trust and respect. In a calm, safe and non-judgemental space, you should feel able to express your thoughts and feelings and to develop an understanding of past events and your reactions to them. You will learn to recognise events, patterns of behaviour and any reactions that are detrimental to your mental wellbeing. More importantly, you will understand how and why they have had this effect.
The focus of therapy is you, and your wellbeing. In a typical therapy session, you and your therapist will work together to understand the events that may be causing you issues, and to develop manageable strategies to cope, to withstand and to become more resilient.
Counsellors are bound by a code of ethics, therefore all information that is shared is confidential, except for any safeguarding issues (i.e., if you or anyone else is at risk of harm). Your therapist will aim to support you to move forward into a healthier future.
What can I expect?
I offer a free 15 min phone or Teams call to see if we are a good fit. We will discuss your need for therapy, your goals and I will answer any questions you have about the process.
If you decide that I am the right therapist for you, then we will arrange the first session at a time to suit you. There is no obligation after our initial call to go ahead with counselling, you may change your mind and feel that therapy is not for you, and that is fine. For counselling to be successful you must be ready and willing to fully engage in the process.
Counselling Techniques - An Overview
Therapy has moved on in recent years, the misconceptions of it only being for individuals with problems, belong in the past. We all have mental health, and in each of us, on any given day, our mental health can fluctuate, it is not fixed. Therapy offers benefits for everyone.
As a professional Counsellor, my priority is your mental health. I am an integrative therapist, which in practice means that I work closely with you, using a variety of techniques to understand past, current, and future areas of difficulty, and to help you develop strategies that you are comfortable with to build confidence and resilience for your future.
My flexible approach means that the sessions will not always follow the same pattern. Instead, our time together will be a response to how you are feeling at any given time, the challenges you are facing, and any events that are presenting stumbling blocks to your progress.
For me, and for you, it is crucial that you feel comfortable and safe enough to express thoughts and feelings, knowing that whatever they are, they will be seen as valid and treated with honesty and integrity. My professional response will be at a pace and level that is right for you. There will, of course, be times that you feel less comfortable as we explore challenging topics, but this is often a vital part of your therapy to reach the outcomes you deserve. This can only happen within the embrace of a safe and familiar space, and with a Counsellor you trust.
I am duty bound to always act in your best interests, with honour and integrity, and within the capacity of my professional skills. I also adhere to the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) code of ethics.