About Counselling
Counselling is a safe place for you to explore your thoughts and feelings. It can sometimes be difficult to share these with the other people in our lives and counselling offers a safe non-judgemental place where the time is just for you. You will be listened to as you share these thoughts and feelings with me. It may also be that you are looking for answers to a problem, or looking to change or just to offload or feel better about yourself. There are as many reasons for people coming to counselling as there are people!
Sometimes we develop patterns of behaviour that are not helpful and talking about them gives us the opportunity to find ways of doing things differently. By exploring them and how we feel, we come to a greater understanding of ourselves and why we do what we do. It may be that you feel that things from the past are affecting your present, or that you’re not able to let go of them. If that applies to you then we could explore them at your own pace when you felt ready.
Although you can’t change other people’s actions, you can change your reactions. Imagine how freeing it would be if someone was getting annoyed and you really didn’t mind. Part of my role as a counsellor is to help you explore why you think and behave the way that you do. With greater awareness comes greater choice as you can then choose to change what you're not happy with.
It may be that whilst you are exploring what’s troubling you it would be helpful to have some tools to help you manage better on a day to day basis, perhaps with sleep or relaxation. We can explore together what might be useful and you can try out different techniques to find the ones that work for you.
If you're a counselling student, attending counselling as part of your course requirements, I have a good understanding of your needs as I taught counselling for many years. We can explore what's going on for you in the present but can also explore links and triggers from your past if you choose to do so.
What Issues Can it Help With?
It can help with a whole range of issues. As a Person Centred counsellor I work with you, not the issue. I listen carefully and with empathy so that I can understand from your perspective. I don't advise but I do work with you to enable you to make the changes that you want to. Below is a list of examples of where counselling can help, but the list is really endless as everyone is an individual responding in a unique way to their circumstances.
Areas of counselling I work with:
Abortion
Abuse
ADHD
Anger Management
Anxiety
Asperger's Syndrome
Bereavement
Bullying
Cancer
Career Counselling
Carer Support
Child Related Issues
Deaf related issues
Dementia
Depression
Disabilities
Domestic Violence
Eating Disorders
Emotional Abuse
Gender Identity
Infertility
Learning Difficulties
Low Self-Confidence
Low Self-Esteem
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Physical Abuse
Postnatal Depression
Pregnancy and Childbirth
Relationship Issues
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Self Harm
Sexual Abuse
Sexuality
Spirituality
Stress
Terminations
Trauma
Work related issues
Areas of Specialism:
Students
I have a particular interest in working with Students. I taught counselling for many years and worked with University Students, managing and offering support. I therefore have a good understanding of your needs and enjoy supporting Counselling Students as you develop your practice.
