Counselling & Psychotherapy
Why consider counselling/psychotherapy?
Almost everyone experiences times when life just seems too much or too difficult. Perhaps the trigger is a work/home/health issue or maybe it's nothing in particular … and everything in general. At times like these, talking to someone who can help you to find a way forward can greatly improve the way you feel about life — and about yourself. As a trained counsellor and psychotherapist I can be that 'someone' and my working with you is part of the counselling/psychotherapy process.
How does it work?
An initial 50-minute assessment meeting will enable us to see how we get on. If we agree to work together, we will arrange further sessions which will normally be at the same time and on the same day each week. Each session will last for 50 minutes.
What do I offer?
- a safe, confidential environment in which to express and share issues, feelings and difficulties you may be having
- help with identifying and understanding the possible causes of your concerns
- an opportunity to consider, together, potential courses of action that could alleviate your discomfort or distress
- the experience of a supportive relationship and encouragement to develop ways of thinking, coping and behaving that will enable you to go on to live a fulfilling and productive life and to feel at ease in the world.
How do I work?
I start from what brings you to me at this time. Any questions I may ask about events in your past will be so that I can, with your help, consider what relevance they may have to your current situation. My aim is to help you understand how your experiences today may be coloured by what you have experienced in the past and to explore with you how your life can become more satisfying, enjoyable and fulfilling.
For brief, solution-focused therapy I would suggest 6-12 sessions in which we would concentrate on a specific issue. For deeper, more fundamental issues, I recommend longer-term therapy on an open-ended basis. In either case the work would be subject to regular review and mutual agreement about whether to stop or to continue.
What experience do I have?
I have been practising since 2006 and have worked in the NHS — in general practice and within a unit for people suffering severe and enduring mental health issues — as well as with private clients. My work has brought me into contact with men and women from a wide range of social and cultural backgrounds and with issues that have included: anxiety and depression, bereavement, domestic violence and abuse, eating disorders, low self-esteem/self-confidence, relationship difficulties and workplace-related issues.
I have a particular interest in the experiences of: being made redundant, the death of a brother or sister, adjusting to later life.
To contact me for further information, or to arrange an initial appointment, go to the Contact page.