Why seek counselling?

There are many different reasons why people seek counselling. It may be that you lack self-esteem, feel anxious, lonely, angry, frustrated and/or depressed. Or perhaps a specific life event has occurred such as bereavement, a job loss or the break-up of a relationship, and coping with everyday life has become a struggle.

Whatever it is that has led you to seek counselling, approaching a therapist may feel overwhelming or daunting. Sometimes people feel ashamed to be asking for help. Others can worry that their problems will be judged as trivial, compared to those of others or may feel trapped, hopeless and overwhelmed by emotion.

Family and friends often want the best for us but sometimes it helps to have someone independent to talk to, this is when it can help to talk with a counsellor.

As your counsellor I will strive to offer you a different perspective on the difficulties you are experiencing, helping you to gain a better sense of who you are, giving you the power to make positive changes in your life.

What is Psychodynamic Counselling?

There are many different approaches to counselling, the approach I practise is psychodynamic.

Psychodynamic counselling is rooted in psychoanalysis, one of its main aims being the promotion of self-awareness, which can be achieved by bringing the unconscious mind into the conscious. This tends to involve exploring the past in order to understand problems and difficulties experienced in the present.

Through my counselling I aim to provide a confidential and empathic space enabling you to open up and explore unresolved conflicts or issues which may be affecting your behaviour, thoughts, moods and decisions. This will be done at a pace that feels comfortable for you.

By unravelling and understanding your deep-rooted feelings and thought processes you can begin to make positive changes in your life.

Not everyone will want or require long-term counselling, which is why I also offer counselling on a short term basis (six to twelve sessions).