Counselling

I offer daytime, evening & weekend appointments.

How can counselling help me?

There are many forms of therapy available to us and counselling is one of them. Known as a talking therapy, counselling is becoming more popular and available to everyone. People seek counselling for many reasons. It might be a time of crisis, of personal loss, or social change. Sometimes people feel a need for support when they are making an important decision and counselling can help to clarify options that might be available to the individual.

For some, the opportunity to talk to another person in a confidential and non-judgemental setting is extremely healing. When it's time to share a problem, friends and family members with the best intentions can have a vested interest. Counsellors are professional people with an objective viewpoint. They will remain non judgemental, and respect your choices and decisions. It is now quite natural to use the services of a counsellor, just as it is to see a doctor or dentist and just like those professions, it is confidential.

I have counselling experience in all of these areas -

So what will happen at my first appointment?

The first appointment, also called an assessment, is a free appointment that will take place in a safe and confidential setting. A detailed personal history will be taken to establish if we can work together and if I am the most suitable counsellor for you.

At this appointment I will explain to you what confidentiality means and how future appointments are made. Fees will be discussed and you will have the opportunity to ask any questions that you may have about counselling.

There are many approaches and styles of counselling. I am 'person centred' trained. This means that I believe that clients have all the resources necessary to know what is best for themselves. The client/counsellor relationship is the active agent in the helping process and counsellors demonstrate genuineness, unconditional positive regard and empathy. This is the core theoretical approach. As Integrative Counsellors we build on this framework. We may use ideas and techniques from other styles to enhance the effectiveness of the counselling process.