My view of Counselling and psychotherapy

A non-judgemental, creative, safe, healing environment where you can explore thoughts and feelings from a new perspective. Psychotherapy tends to be more long term, working at greater depth. Empowerment and autonomy are paramount with both.

Background

People, and how we create change has always intrigued me, leading me to doing a four-year Integrative Diploma in counselling at Lambeth College in Clapham. Afterwards, I joined a four-year diploma course in Integrative Transpersonal psychotherapy at the centre for counselling and psychotherapy (CCPE) in London W2. Throughout I have been in continuous personal therapy.

I have worked for organisations as a counsellor, running a counselling drop-in, and currently work in substance misuse, working one to one, with groups and giving workshops.

Why start in therapy?

The reasons for entering therapy are varied, the wish for personal growth or development, help with the effects of a specific trauma, depression or perhaps a feeling that you’ve lost touch with yourself. Therapy may assist in unravelling some of these questions and can assist in the process of developing awareness and facilitating change. It’s not just for the intellectual and articulate.

We all have an inbuilt desire to move forwards. Entering therapy can sometimes be seen as an unconscious step forward in this process. Each person is unique with each weekly session reflecting this, the client dictating session pace and content.

What kind of issues can be helped?

Content of sessions is complex and varied. Often the ‘presenting issue’ turns out to be a symptom of a deeper issue after time for exploration. I see drug use, self harm, anxiety attacks etc as ways of coping. I will not judge you by your actions, my aim being for us to develop a trusting relationship Research shows that the single most significant factor in predicting the outcome of therapy is the relationship between the therapist and the client. Therefore it’s crucial for us both to feel comfortable before we begin to work together.

Issues I have worked with include, relationships, abuse issues, self-esteem, personality disorders, addictions, depression and lack of life purpose.

For some, spiritual growth is now replacing survival as the central objective of the human experience. Having addressed our more instinctual needs we may be drawn to creating new and deeper understanding of who we are and what our purposes are. I work creatively using dream work, writing, drawing, archetypes and visualisation. Such connection can also be established working from a mind-body holistic approach, through energy work or the chakras. Basically I attempt to work in a way, which feels right for you.

The next step…..

I offer the initial session free to allow time for exploration of whether counselling/psychotherapy is appropriate for you and whether it might support your process. Please contact me by telephone answer machine on 07776 186 414 or email (all contacts are in strictest confidence) I am a member of the BACP and abide by their ethics, which aims to protect your rights and well-being.