FAQ's
You may have a number of questions and I am happy to discuss these with you either via telephone or at an initial session. Meanwhile some questions you have may be answered here.
What is counselling and psychotherapy?
Counselling and psychotherapy are both talking therapies and both take place in a helping relationship.
The process of counselling/psychotherapy can facilitate you in resolving difficulties in your life and if you wish can help you to make more fundamental changes in yourself.
In all cases change can only happen if you want it, engage willingly in the process and agree to the outcomes you want.
You are given a space in which it is safe to reflect and talk, to explore your thoughts, feelings and actions without being judged. My role is to understand you, your life and your perspective and to help you to identify ways in which you might resolve an issue or difficulties or to identify patterns which you may wish to change. It is not a place for you to be given advice or told what to do.
What type of counselling do you offer?
There are many different types of counselling help available. Some are more analytical, others focus on helping to achieve changes in thinking and behavior quickly. The differences are too numerous to explain satisfactorily here and there are some useful links to sites that do offer descriptions of the major counselling models.
I am trained in an integrative way of working that is humanistic in philosophy - see core beliefs below. I believe all techniques and theories are limited and should not be allowed to get in the way of an individual's experiencing of life.
My further training in Transactional Analysis offers the potential to use this as a powerful way of understanding how we function and interact, and supports making significant changes in this.
I believe these following principles are helpful and important in the context of assisting people in change:
- People are worthy of respect, understanding and acceptace because they are human
- People are responsible for the decisions they make and how they think and feel and can change their decisions if they wish
- People are responsible for making their own meaning and for the beliefs about themselves and others
- People are experts on themselves
- People have a tendancy to realise their full potential once they have the right conditions or recognise and change the ways in which they stop themselves.
What kind of issues can you assist with?
I work with a wide range of differing issues and these include:
Relationship difficulties; anxiety; panic attacks; self esteem; stress; trauma and abuse [both past and more recent]; sexuality, gender identity and gender expression; feelings of emptiness; body image. Sometimes I will work with people who require a more coaching style of help to assist with determining future plans for life or work, or to develop new skills in dealing with people or problems.
I accept referrals from GP's, Psychologists, Psychiatrists and invidividuals themselves.
What training and experience have you had?
I have worked developmentally with people for over twenty five years, initially in organisational settings both individually and in groups and since 1999 in the therapeutic and clinical context. My background until the early 90's was working in large organisations in a senior role. I graduated from a two year Diploma in Humanistic Integrative Counselling course in 2000 at Wealden College in Crowborough. I have also completed four year's clinical training in Transactional Analysis psychotherapy and practice under supervision. My additional professional training includes forensic counselling and supervision.
I have worked in a variety of settings including prisons and for social services and since 2000 in private practice. In addition to my private practice I have been a Director of an independent accredited college training professional counsellors and psychotherapists.
I am more than happy to discuss my training and way of working further at an initial meeting.