I am a couple and individual qualified counsellor with 17 years experience. I have chosen not to specialise in any one particular area believing that no matter what our problem is, no matter how 'big' or 'small', it is 'our' problem and it affects us. It takes courage to face our difficulties, but avoiding them is self deprecating, unfulfilling and a blow to our self esteem. In fact it has been proved that high self esteem derives from facing challenges.
Using an integrative approach, I work to help people understand their difficulties, how they arose and, most importantly, how to make changes.
Initially, I suggest that we meet for 2 sessions. This means that we both have an opportunity to assess and to formulate any questions in the week in between, and finally to decide whether we wish to work together. From my point of view, this will depend on whether I feel I am able to help you. Hopefully from your point of view it will depend on whether you feel comfortable enough to work with me.
Many of our difficulties arise because of how we view things. If we are able to see things from a different perspective, we can change the way in which we think, and in so doing, change how we feel. For example, try imaging 3 things you wish you were & had, next try thinking about 3 things you’re glad you’re not. Do you notice any change in how you feel?
How long counselling takes is almost indefinable, some people find that 6 sessions are sufficient, whilst for others, it is not. Perhaps the difference lies somewhere in the balance between ‘how can I change’ and ‘how did I get here’. The latter clearly requiring a longer and deeper exploration.
I have written and had published articles on Self Esteem; Couple Relationships and Anxiety, all of which are available by request.
I am a Standard Life Healthcare recognised practitioner and can therefore see people referred by a Consultant Psychiatrist.Qualifications & Training
1993 - 1998 Relate.
1995 - 1997 Post Graduate Diploma, University of Hertfordshire.
1998 Received my BACP accreditation.
Ongoing training in CBT ; Mindfulness and Innate Health.
I began my training in 1993 with Relate, where I worked with couples or individuals who were experiencing difficulties in their relationship. I learned that sometimes simply working with one person could improve the relationship for both partners. I gained my certification in 1998.
1995 -1997. Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling - University of Hertfordshire.
This course was dual module and here I learned to adopt a Person Centred way of being with my clients, that is in a non judgemental, accepting, empathic manner. The Psychodynamic modality afforded me a wonderful opportunity to learn how our lives today are influenced so much by the things that happened in our past.Experience
I thoroughly enjoy using CBT within my work. I see how by changing the thoughts, people are able to change how they feel and behave. Simply recognising that we are playing the 'what if' game, with no 'evidence' for it (other than a conviction / fear) can free us from crippling anxiety.
I worked voluntarily for 7 years and in 2000 started my private practice.
BACP Senior Accredited Counsellor.Fees
£45 negotiable.
Key words for this entry:
Couples, Individual Counselling, Adults, Elderly, Men, Women, Long-term, Short-term, Time-limited, Low-cost sessions, Anger, Anxiety, Attachment, Bereavement, Commitment, Conflict, Disabilities, Divorce, Separation, Gender, Identity, Loss, Self-esteem, Narcissism, Panic, Psychosomatic, Relationships, Self-confidence, Stress, Behavioural, Counselling, Integrative, Mindfulness, Psychodynamic, Solution-focused, Systemic, Transactional Analysis. |
