About Psychotherapy & Counselling
Why is it so frightening to feel vulnerable?
Our experiences in life and especially those in childhood often force us to ‘toughen up’ to avoid vulnerability at all cost. Past experience has taught us that otherwise life is just too painful. These strategies may have worked to protect us when young, but in adult life can limit us so that we risk becoming disconnected from our true selves and from those around us. Depression, anxiety, psychological and physical pain and an overall sense of dissatisfaction and despair can result.
What is psychotherapy & counselling?
Psychotherapy and counselling are both forms of talking therapy focused specifically on helping you understand yourself and the problems you are facing, freeing you to make decisions about your life with greater awareness. You may wonder about the difference in meaning between the terms 'psychotherapy' and 'counselling'. In essence there is no significant difference between the two, other than that the training of a psychotherapist is usually longer and that the therapy itself, as a rule, often takes place over a longer period of time. I have experience of working with clients in short-term counselling and longer-term psychotherapy and can testify to the benefits of both.
What does psychodynamic mean?
I work from a psychodynamic perspective, based on the principle that how you respond to current problems and challenges may be powerfully influenced by your earlier experiences in life. In exploring and seeking to understand these possible links and patterns, you can gain fresh insight and perspective on your life and so be better informed to seek out the best way forward and open up the possibility for change.
However, whatever theory underpins your psychotherapy or counselling, by far the most important aspect of the therapy is the relationship that develops between you and the therapist. This is a unique and clearly defined relationship.
How can it help?
Psychotherapy and counselling is at all times a collaborative process with two people working together, where it is possible to talk about and explore whatever is on your mind. Whilst at times it can be challenging, psychotherapy and counselling have been shown to be effective in addressing many of the following conditions:
- feelings of depression and loneliness
- stress and anxiety
- low self-esteem and confidence
- bereavement
- other losses, such as divorce and redundancy
- family relationship problems, past childhood experiences, or current parenting concerns
- other relationship difficulties (for example: starting, sustaining or finishing relationships or repeating the same type of relationship)
- work-related and career concerns
- sexual concerns or sexual identity
- infertility, post-natal depression and terminations
- trauma and panic attacks
Cognitive Behavourial Therapy (CBT)
I have additional training in CBT, which offers practical ways to intervene in deep rooted anxieties and offers shorter term and more solution focused work. If you are interested in such therapy, please let me know and together we can explore if this approach might be helpful for you.
