`Learning to grow down and learning to grow back up again.’ (P.L)

My Approach to counselling and psychotherapy

I am an integrative counsellor/psychotherapist – my core theoretical approach is Humanistic.

‘The humanistic therapist provides an interpersonal context for the client’s growth; she does not, however, become personally entangled in that growth process.’ [1]

I integrate the theories of Person Centred, TA (Transactional Analysis) and Gestalt into my work.

How I work

I focus on supporting you with self-development to enable you to gain insight and understanding of your behaviours and feelings; to recognise your own strengths and form your own choices.

I believe it’s a collaborative process; reworking of fixed patterns from past to present and working in the here and now to develop new strategies and ways of thinking.

I aim to validate your experience and encourage you to identify changes you wish to achieve; to accompany you as you make sense of your life.

I seek to inspire and facilitate your growth so life is less difficult and easier to make sense of – to unwrap your own self-awareness so you can feel comfortable in your own skin.

Taking the first step

Seeking counselling can be overshadowed by stigma and can feel quite daunting yet you’ve found the courage to take the first step if you’re still reading this!

Once you decide to put your foot on the path to self discovery you may begin to really see yourself.

It’s okay if you feel vulnerable and unable to trust we can build on those foundations; you don’t have to be lonely and suffer in silence.

Areas of counselling I deal with

Abuse, Addiction, Anxiety, Bereavement, Bullying, Depression, Domestic violence, Eating disorders, Emotional abuse, Family issues, Loss,  Low self-confidence, Low self-esteem, Panic disorder, Personality disorders, Relationship issues, Self harm, Sexuality, Stress, Suicidal thoughts, Trauma ..

This list is by no means exhaustive.

Pain is inevitable suffering is optional

‘Without the urge to grow, psychotherapy would be useless; without the pull to stay the same, it would be unnecessary.’ [2]

 Quotes:

[1] Relational psychotherapy, by Patricia A. DeYoung

[2] Beyond Empathy, by Richard Erskine, Janet Moursund, Rebecca Trautmann