Approach

Approach
 
No couples counselling spaces (or recommendations) during 2022 and 2023. Individual counselling only.
 
Overview
I aim to provide a safe space in which to –

  • explore what is happening in your life, and
  • think about how best to make things better.

 
Through a series of weekly conversations, I will listen carefully to what you have to say as well as offering my thoughts, feelings, knowledge and experience to help you make sense of your world and gain a better understanding of what, if anything, you would like to change. From your perspective, this might be in terms of how you see yourself, how you connect with others and how you respond to the many challenges we all encounter throughout every stage of our lives.
 
I adopt a relaxed and compassionate approach, helping you to feel more in control of your life by –

  • finding meaning in past and present experiences
  • understanding yourself better
  • exploring new possibilities for responding to the world
  • smoothing the path for courage, and
  • making your own decisions.

 
Short-term counselling or psychotherapy is anything up to 20 weeks (no minimum). Some people choose to stay for significantly longer. To ensure you receive my full attention and the best possible service, I work with a maximum of sixteen people a week.
 


 
Main Qualifications

  • Master of Science (Msc) in Psychotherapy
  • Post-graduate Diploma in Humanistic Therapeutic Counselling
  • Also:
  • BA Hons Degree in Economics and French

 
Additional Training

  • couples counselling
  • attachment and neuroscience (led by Jeremy Holmes )
  • bereavement counselling
  • neurobiology and its applications to psychotherapy
  • inter-generational trauma
  • group therapy
  • neurosis
  • unconscious relational patterns (led by Richard Erskine )

 
Professional Membership
Registered member of the UK Council for Psychotherapy, UKCP (reg. no. 2011164261)
 


 
Theoretical Orientation
My practice is underpinned by an existential, holistic philosophy that is rooted in both humanistic and psychodynamic models of counselling and psychotherapy.
 
This approach is principally informed by:

  • attachment theory
  • transactional analysis (TA)
  • systemic theory (family dynamics)
  • object relations
  • neuroscience and human development
  • cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

 
In addition to theoretical knowledge and experience, I aim to bring kindness, safety, honesty and humility to all aspects of my work.
 


 
What To Expect And How To Proceed
In the first instance I recommend you contact me via email. At this stage, it would be useful for me to know what you are concerned about (e.g. excessive anxiety) and when you are available (e.g. Wednesday afternoons). If I think I may be able to help and I have space at the times you are available, I will reserve a weekly session time for you. We can then arrange a 50-minute initial consultation.
 
At an initial consultation there will be an opportunity for you to experience what working with me would be like. There would be no commitment from you at this stage. I will ask you what brings you to counselling or psychotherapy and answer any questions you might have about how talking together can help. If we both decide to go ahead, we will agree to meet on a weekly basis at the session time reserved for you.
 
All sessions are for 50 minutes. At the start of therapy, I will ask you to sign a contract to show that you have understood my policies on confidentiality, cancellations etc.
 

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