How I work (my approach to therapy)
As an integrative practitioner I use different therapies to inform my counselling. Some examples of therapies I offer are:
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· Existential therapy
· Humanistic therapies
· Integrative
· Mindfulness
· Person-centred therapy
· Solution focused brief therapy
· Transactional analysis
· Cognitive behavioural therapy
In our counselling, I believe the relationship between counsellor and client is central to successful therapy. We will work together collaboratively to build a therapeutic relationship which is safe, caring and non-judgemental where you can feel comfortable to explore your emotions.
As a relational therapist, I believe the relationships we experience in life with ourselves and with others are important to our well-being and development. I will help you to explore your relationships in the past and present and explore their effects on your well-being and development.
I work in an integrative way looking at a range of theories to inform the therapy. I believe therapy needs to be tailored to each individual and there is no ‘one size fits all’ and adapt my approach to suit your specific needs and what you are looking to achieve.
We will work collaboratively in a mainly person-centred way which means you direct the pace and the agenda that we work on in each session. It is for you to decide what you want to explore to help you to find a way forward and to empower you to make positive changes in your life. I believe you are the expert of your experiences and that you are the one who knows how each event has made you feel and how you feel matters.
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What platforms can you offer counselling on?I will offer online counselling sessions on the secure software of zoom. Although we can discuss the use of other platforms if zoom does not work for you. I have webcam facilities and I am happy to have online sessions via video calls or counselling sessions on a mobile telephone, whichever you feel more comfortable with.
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What will the first session be like?The first session may take up to 60 minutes as this session will be more structured where I ask you questions about what has brought you to counselling and what you hope to gain from counselling. There will be a chance for you to ask any questions you have, and I will be able to advise you on what I can help you with. The first session will also help you to get a sense of the therapy and see if it feels right for you and if you feel I am the right therapist to support you. There is no obligation to book further sessions.
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How long does a Session last?The initial session will take at least 60 minutes, as that will give us time to discuss your issues in details. Counselling session will last up to 50 minutes and then we will have a 10 minute coolong down period to help you adjust to returning to the normal world from your sessions.
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How many sessions will I need?There is no definitive answer as to how many therapy sessions you will need. It depends on what you ÂÂwant to work on and what you as an individual need. I am happy to work in the short-term in a more solution focused way. I am also happy to work with individuals for long term therapy to help them to look at the impact of their past on their current lives. Counselling is a gradual process and the time people need in therapy can vary between individuals. Although it isn’t a quick fix or a magic cure all the benefits of counselling are long lasting some examples of these are empowerment, resilience and self-awareness.
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How will we monitor progress and know when to finish counselling?I will make sure to have regular reviews with clients every 6 weeks where we discuss the journey they have been on and if they feel they need more therapy. The important thing is that it is your choice when we finish. I will let you know if I feel the therapeutic work has ended but I think we can work together to make the ending as comfortable and empowering as possible.