Why counselling

There are many different reasons people come to counselling and all are valid.  You may feel stuck in a narrative and unable to see a way out.  You may have difficulties in relationships or a general sense of feeling alone.  Perhaps you have strong feelings of anxiety, sadness or anger.  Or maybe you have an absence of feelings.  You may be separating from a partner or have lost someone close.  Whatever the difficulty, you are aware it is affecting the quality of your life and you would like things to change.  Counselling offers a safe, confidential and non-judgemental space for you to talk through these difficulties with someone who is outside your family and friends.  This in itself can often bring comfort.

What to expect in my initial appointment

Your first appointment or 'initial appointment' lasts an hour and offers a snapshot of counselling with me.  It provides a space to understand more about your difficulties.  We can talk through your expectations of counselling and I can answer any questions you may have.

Towards the end of this session we can think together about the best path moving forwards.  For continuing sessions, I offer both short and long term counselling either in person or online.  Short term is usually an agreed number of sessions with a focus on a particular problem.  Longer term counselling is open ended and more suited to deeper issues.  

It is often a good idea to meet with a few counsellors to help find the right one for you.

In continuing sessions

Continuing sessions last fifty minutes and are usually at the same time weekly.  There isn't a right or wrong approach.  You may have something particular to bring or allow feelings, thoughts or experiences to emerge during the session.  You may also bring dreams or artwork.

Whilst I may reference other modalities, my core approach is psychodynamic.  This modality has it's roots in psychoanalysis with the understanding that often our present difficulties have hidden links to our past.  With attuned listening and drawing on psychodynamic theory and experience I will work with you to uncover your narrative and make meaning of what is going on for you in the present.  Through this process you can develop your understanding of yourself and feel supported in making changes and finding a way through your difficulties.