How I can help you & what to expect

How I can help you.

We can all feel overwhelmed at times and in need of support. You may be struggling with personal issues that you find difficult to discuss with others. Perhaps you feel stuck, anxious, or have a feeling of sadness that you cannot shift. Maybe a change in your life or a loss has made you feel unhappy and that you are finding it difficult to cope. Whatever you are going through, I am here to help.

My main approach is Gestalt therapy. This is guided by the principle that every individual is a whole and focuses strongly on self-awareness in the ‘here and now’. Working in a Gestalt way will allow us to explore your feelings and emotions not only through talking therapy but also creatively using objects and metaphor should you wish to do so. This can give you a deeper understanding of yourself. Below are some of the creative ways we can work to help identify and express your thoughts, feelings, environment, and the people in it.

I also have training in CBT and Person-Centered therapy. Everyone is unique, so I tailor my approach to suit your needs. However we decide to work together, I will help you increase your awareness and support you in finding new ways of living so that your life feels more manageable.

Using a sand tray and objects such as stones, shells, buttons, marbles, and animals can help explore your thoughts, feelings, environment, and the people in it.

Using a sand tray and objects such as stones, shells, buttons, marbles, and animals can help explore your thoughts, feelings, environment, and the people in it.

Mood cards can help heighten your awareness of specific feelings and emotions.

Mood cards can help heighten your awareness of specific feelings and emotions.

Nesting dolls can help identify feelings about yourself such as your past and present.

Nesting dolls can help identify feelings about yourself such as your past and present.

Often we show people what we want them to see, but inside we may be feeling sad, lost, and lonely. Masks can help you talk about what you feel inside which may be hidden from others.

Often we show people what we want them to see, but inside we may be feeling sad, lost, and lonely. Masks can help you talk about what you feel inside which may be hidden from others.

What to expect in your counselling sessions.

Counselling gives you the opportunity to talk about whatever is troubling you with someone who is not involved in your personal life. I will listen and support you. I will not judge you or tell you how to lead your life. We will work at your pace and with the issues you would like to focus on.

Counselling is a two way working relationship. You will have the opportunity to gain more insight about yourself, your situation, and the way you relate to others. I will help you explore different ways of looking at your life, the choices you make, and encourage you to find your own answers.

I aim to support you by offering the therapeutic core conditions of empathy, congruence, and unconditional positive regard. This creates a warm, compassionate and genuine environment.

Counselling is confidential. The only exception to this confidentiality will be if I am concerned that you may harm yourself or other people. I would then break confidentiality to a third party in order to gain support and help for you; this would be done with your knowledge whenever possible. This is in accordance with the Ethical Framework for Good Practice of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.