Often individuals will seek therapy when they experience a life-changing event or have a specific problem for which they seek emotional help. Other times people are unsure of what is causing the internal conflict, so look for the help of a therapist to work with them to gain a better understanding of what it might be.  Either way, if something is troubling you, then the likelihood is that it is trouble and counselling might be a solution.

There is no graph or spreadsheet which determines whether your problems are more or less severe than someone else’s.  We are all individuals with individual needs, and you may be at point in your life when something is causing you distress and impacting the way you lead your life.

It takes strength and courage to open up to a professional and receive help.  Even making initial contact with me shows the willingness to change.   Counselling is not necessarily for the person who is weak or “messed-up”.  I have worked with some brilliant people but they did not necessarily have the best coping strategies when dealing with life on life’s terms.

Counselling can take many different forms in terms of the approach, structure, format and even the way the therapist works.  But simply put, counselling will offer you a safe, confidential and non-judgemental space to come and talk, be heard and be seen.  I am a trained therapist and will help you find the answers to feeling better within yourself.

My training and approach to counselling is based on the humanistic integrative model combined with concepts from the psychodynamic approach.  I have also completed part 1 of Pia Mellody’s Post Induction Training.  This intensive training has extended my therapeutic skills to work with the underlying trauma of most addictive and dysfunctional processes.  My training also covered the professional issues such as Code of Ethics and Practice, the organisational context of clinical work and legal issues.

Confidentiality

I have a confidentiality policy which I will tell you about when we meet.  But in general, all enquires and discussions about therapy are treated confidentially.  Your attendance at an appointment is treated confidentially meaning that I would not confirm your attendance to anyone else without your written permission.  Under normal circumstances no information about you will be passed to a third party.

Exceptions to confidentiality

There are certain situations in which I would look to break confidentiality and make contact with a third party which I will discuss with in you in the initial assessment.