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What is counselling and psychotherapy?

Counselling and psychotherapy are terms that are often used interchangeably. It can be difficult to find an agreed definition for each, but generally both are umbrella terms that cover a range of talking- and listening-based methods of addressing psychological issues.

 

How do I know if I need therapy?

Often, individuals choose to have therapy because they are experiencing difficulties and distress in their lives. You may be considering therapy for any number of reasons. Perhaps you’re feeling stuck and confused, overwhelmed by your emotions, anxious or depressed, or have experienced something traumatic (recently or in the past). You may be struggling to come to terms with and deal with change – the end of a relationship, bereavement, job loss or parenthood, for example. You might not know what the problem is – just that something’s not right.

Whatever brings you to therapy, the therapeutic environment is a safe, confidential and non-judgemental space, where you can talk about whatever is on your mind at a pace that suits you.

What next?

If you would like therapy please contact me by email or phone and we can arrange an initial session. At this session I would explore a little about your life story and what has brought you to therapy. You would also have the chance to ask about anything else that you may not be sure about, as well as finding out whether you felt comfortable and wanted to continue.

Even if you're not sure whether you're ready yet, or whether therapy will help you, please feel free to ring, or e-mail and I will be happy to discuss the therapy process with you and hopefully put your mind at ease.

It’s hard to pick up the phone; but getting professional help could make your life happier and give you back the control you yearn for.

 

Therapy

We live in a complex, busy, and often very challenging world, in which we encounter many different types of experiences that can be difficult for us to deal with. Most of the time we can get on with life, but sometimes we can’t, and we find ourselves stuck. Often we can find support in friends or family, but sometimes we can’t and sometimes, even with their support, we can feel isolated and alone.

Therapy is a process that can help you to gain a better understanding of your past and present conflicts, to recognise, appreciate and use your own resources, as well as to consider possibilities for dealing with difficult situations. This may involve clarifying choices and opportunities for bringing about change; or, alternatively, may help you come to terms with those aspects of your life that you are unable, or do not wish, to change.

How does it work?

My role, as a therapist, is to provide a safe, non-judgemental and confidential space, to help you to explore your feelings and thoughts in ways that promote insight and self-awareness; and to support you as you work towards greater clarity and understanding of where you are in your life. This might include talking about life events (past and present), feelings, emotions, relationships, and ways of thinking and patterns of behaviour.

Talking about how you feel - and being heard - is at the heart of therapy and may be enough in itself. In fact, research shows that it is the relationship between the client and the therapist that can have the most impact on change. Beyond this, it may be helpful to consider unhelpful life patterns and gain new insight into habitual ways of thinking and behaving. We can also explore fresh perspectives, different possibilities and strategies for change and growth. Therapy can help you to take stock of where you are now; it can help you to re-evaluate how you live your life, and how you engage in the world and with the people around you. Working together, we can explore the things that matter to you, where you are now, where you would like to be, and how you can work towards getting there.