Why choose counselling?

Why counselling?

There are so many reasons why people seek counselling and psychotherapy. Perhaps you have been feeling troubled for some time, or a new situation is upsetting you. You may wish that you could take stock of your life and explore the best way forward. Maybe you keep finding yourself in similar situations, or familiar problems keep arising in your relationships. As we move forward, we often find ourselves drawn to look back – “Why did I do that again? Why do I always feel like this?” Sometimes it can feel as if we are caught in a tangle of feelings and thoughts which can never be unravelled.

You are not alone. I aim to provide a safe space in which you can explore whatever is troubling you, and also feel supported in making any changes.

You have taken the first step, but perhaps you also have some questions and concerns about what therapy would be like, and whether it’s for you. You may also wonder about the difference between “counselling”, “psychotherapy”, and “therapy”.

What happens in therapy?

At its most simple, therapy involves talking about yourself to someone who will not judge you, and who will offer a different perspective on whatever brings you to counselling or psychotherapy. People often feel great relief at being able to tell someone how they feel. It’s not always easy to do this with the people close to you. You may worry about burdening them with your troubles, or fear that they will see you differently if you tell them how you really feel.

I am trained as an integrative psychotherapist and counsellor, which means that I draw on different therapeutic approaches to tailor our work to your unique needs. It can be helpful to explore how past relationships and experiences continue to affect you, and to find ways of being more compassionate about yourself.

You might also have a sense of your own personal style of thinking and feeling. Do you tend to look on the bright side, or are you more inclined to assume the worst? Do you feel good about yourself, or are you more likely to criticise yourself for every little thing? These are all themes which it can be helpful to explore in therapy.

I am interested in whatever is uppermost in your mind and I encourage you to allow yourself to speak freely. We can work with whatever you bring to each session whilst also keeping your overall goals in mind. It is also important for you to go at your own pace and not to rush yourself. I always welcome feedback on how you are experiencing the work at any stage in the process.