As a Person-Centred Counsellor, I believe that, given the right environment, we are all able to discover what is causing us pain or distress and to find our own means to healing and a way of living more comfortably with ourselves and with the world. Counselling aims to furnish that necessary environment, by developing a relationship based upon mutual trust, understanding, respect and honesty that allows healing and personal growth to occur; and by providing a safe space where whatever issues are important to you can be discussed and explored confidentially and non-judegementally.
As the name suggests, Person-Centred counsellors do not focus upon particular 'problems' or specific areas of specialism, but have at the centre the person with whom we are working. In my work, I address whatever aspects of life, experience, relationships etc are important to the person I am counselling. I have worked with people who are experiencing depression and anxiety; those who are facing changes in their life or work, loss or bereavement; those who have been subjected to various forms of abuse in the past; and and who are dealing with difficulties in relationships with their partners or members of their family. I have particular experience of working with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people.
Because it is the relationship between client and counsellor that is at the centre of effective and successful counselling, the most important thing is to choose a counsellor who you feel safe with, who you feel you can trust and who gives you the sense that they have an understanding of how it feels to be you. For this reason, I offer prospective clients an inital 30-minute meeting with me, free of charge, to give you the opportunity to meet me, ask me whatever questions you wish to ask and to decide whether I am the right counsellor for you.
The process of developing the counselling relationship and exploring together whatever issues are important to you may take just a few sessions, or it may take several weeks or months; in some instances longer. We can agree to meet for a set number of sessions; to meet for a few sessions and then review our progress together; or to meet regularly in an open-ended relationship until we feel that our work together is done.
I work in accordance with BACP ethical guidelines.Qualifications & Training
Advanced Diploma in Counselling (Person-Centred approach).
PGCE (Post-Compulsory Education).Experience
I have over 20 years experience of counselling, mentoring, support and guidance work, in both paid and voluntary capacities, working with adults of all ages, from diverse cultural, social, class and ethnic backgrounds.Fees
Sliding scale between £20 - £35 an hour, depending upon client's income.
Key words for this entry:
Couples, Individual Counselling, Adults, Elderly, Men, Women, Long-term, Short-term, Time-limited, Face-to-face, Mentoring, Training/tutoring, Workshop, Concessionary rates, Free sessions, Gender, General counselling, Relationships, Assertiveness, Counselling, Person-centred. |
