What happens in a session?

Psychotherapy takes place within a respectful and confidential setting at my practice, in a one-to-one relationship.

‘A burden shared is a burden halved’, is so true!

Almost all emotional and some mental pain is, sadly, caused in harmful relationships, and some traumas can happen to us when we are very, very young, long before we are able to protect ourselves.  It makes sense, therefore, that within a trustworthy and safe, adult to adult relationship in this present time, the healing of wounds from the past can take place.

Within the 50 minute session time, the challenges and problems that can feel so difficult to manage alone, can be shared and explored - this sharing in itself can bring real relief. Together we work to find unrecognised resources, and gradually change thinking and behaviour habits that can relieve stress and tension and ease emotional distress.

This is work that is collaborative and that we share together.  It is hard work sometimes, and is also very rewarding!

Counselling Models

I use a combination of models and try to find what fits best for each individual person's needs.

CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) suggests that when we change the way we view events and think about them, our behaviour changes, with the result that relationships change and improve as well.

The Humanistic therapies like Gestalt and Transactional Analysis, have an equal emphasis on thinking, emotional feelings and behaviour, and on keeping the focus in the present moment of 'here and now', rather than looking back to 'there and then'.

With Sensorimotor principles, we pay attention to thoughts, awareness of sensations in the body, physical movements and the emotions that arise in response thoughts, memories and relationships.

Here are some of the difficulties for which people have asked for my help. I have put them into groups as they are often related:

Abuse:
Emotional, sexual, physical, mental, and spiritual abuse.  Bullying and social abuse.

Anxiety States:
Fear of assertiveness, shyness, anxiety and panic attacks.  Nightmares and sleep disturbance. Scary day time fantasies (imagination).
OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorders)
Self harming. 
Suicidal thoughts and attempts.
Some eating disorders

Bereavement and Losses:
Death, and loss from suicide
Break up of relationships
Redundancy
Abortion (medical or natural)
Still birth and infant loss
Unhappy Boarding School experience
Death of a pet or loved animal

Depression:
Anxiety depression, acute and chronic depression
Low self confidence/esteem.  Feeling constantly worthless, guilty, ashamed.

Stress:
Anger and stress management
Relationship conflict
Home or Work related conflicts

Trauma:
Post Traumatic Stress (PTSD) caused by natural disasters, transport accidents, rape and sexual or physical assault. Abuse.
Accidental or intentional injury or death caused to a person or animal.

If your difficulty is not listed above, you are welcome to enquire through my contact page.