Therapeutic counselling
How can counselling help?
The way I see it, you don’t need fixing, but maybe you don’t have the space to really explore what’s going on for you, with someone who’s not connected to your situation.
I’m here to work with you, to help you make sense out of what might not make sense, and I can help you explore underlying reasons for what might be going on, and help you get to where you want to be.
Sometimes even having the space to simply offload freely can be a relief.
Some of the areas I work in
Low self esteem and gaining confidence
Bereavement
Managing feelings of anxiety
Emotional growth and self exploration
Neurodivergence - I offer a neuro affirming space if you'd like to explore
Relationships with others - where things might not be working, ways to communicate
Exploring and managing feelings of depression
The impact of domestic violence - whether experienced as a child or adult
If you don't see whatever is going on for you in the list above, please feel free to drop me a message. I've supported clients with many different issues over the years.
My approach
I originally trained in the person-centred approach, and I stay true to its ethos of client as expert – you know you better than I could, after all. I’m not here to tell you what to do, offer solutions or advise you. I aim to provide an environment in which you feel safe to explore whatever's going on for you at a pace that suits you, to get you to where you want to be.
I’ve a firm belief that talking can only take us so far and I undertook training in focusing. Focusing was introduced into talking therapy after research in the 1950s discovered clients who were able to connect to their bodily experience as they spoke - for instance if their heart began to ache as they spoke about a loss - experienced deeper therapeutic change. It’s gentle and does not involve any physical contact from me; this is about you gaining awareness and connecting to your experience.
I’ve also trained in gesalt therapy. With an understanding of “what we resist, persists”, and how this can lead to us struggling with ourselves and stuck somehow, I can support you in getting to know and hear different parts of yourself with curiosity, which might feel different to the usual self-criticism you might be experiencing. With awareness of your patterns, emotions and thoughts, you can make different decisions, enjoy different relationships and embrace life!
Practicalities
I qualified with a diploma in therapeutic counselling, and am an accredited member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (register number 381002), with an enhanced DBS and full insurance.
Additionally, I hold a foundation certificate in gestalt counselling from the Manchester Gestalt Centre, a foundation certificate in transactional analysis (which has a focus on how we communicate with others) from The Berne Institute, and a British Focusing Association certificate in focusing skills.
I undertake continuous professional development regularly to keep my practice up-to-date.