Counselling
“The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.”
- Alan Watts
What is counselling? You probably have some vague idea of what it might be from TV or movies or from what your friends may have experienced, but when you start looking into it, it can become really overwhelming.
There are many different models of counselling that you may come across in your search, and I work integratively, using lots of techniques I’ve picked up along the way and tailoring my approach to your individual needs – because everyone is different.
Person Centred
Person Centred Therapy is one of the most well known and popular approaches to counselling and is based on a deep respect for the person by the therapist, and the belief that the relationship between the counsellor and the client is of primary importance.
It is a non-directive approach in that it is you, the client who knows what hurts, you are the expert in your own life, and it is you who can begin your healing process within the real safety of the therapeutic relationship.
My role as your counsellor is to walk alongside you whilst you explore some of the things your might be struggling with. I work with you to help you find solutions that allow you to move forward in a happier and healthier way.
The essential qualities which I believe create a safe, supportive and challenging therapeutic environment include:
A profound acceptance of you, no matter what.
A desire to understand you and how you have experienced the world and your life.
A commitment to being genuine in our relationship - real, transparent, open and honest.
Person centred therapy is helpful for all kinds of different struggles including depression, anxiety, grief, relationship issues, trauma, stress, bullying and many more.
CBT
CBT is a talking therapy which focuses on how your thoughts, beliefs and attitudes affect your feelings and your behaviour. It teaches you coping skills for dealing with different problems you may be experiencing.
It combines cognitive therapy (examining the things you think) and behaviour therapy (examining the things you do). The way we think about situations affects the way we feel and behave. If we view a situation negatively, we may experience negative emotions and feelings which lead us to act in an unhelpful way.
I will help you identify and challenge any negative thinking patterns you may have developed over the years so you can deal with situations better and respond to life’s challenges in a more positive way.
Please note that whilst I do use some CBT skills in the work I do, I am not a pure CBT practitioner.
The Rewind Technique - For Trauma and PTSD
The Rewind Technique can treat the survivor of a traumatic (life-threatening) event, or someone who has witnessed, heard about or perpetrated such an event.
The Technique is easily learnt by the majority of people, and where a single trauma is the cause of the PTSD, only about 2 sessions are required.
One of the main benefits of the Rewind Technique is that you do not need to disclose any details about your trauma to me. This minimises the risk of you being retraumatised and means that sensitive information can be protected.
Simply described, the technique works by allowing you to reprocess the traumatic memory so that it becomes stored as an 'ordinary', albeit unpleasant, and non- threatening memory rather than one that continually activates a terror response.
The Rewind will not erase your memory of the traumatic event – you will be able to remember it if you choose to – but it should stop involuntary recall in the form of flashbacks, nightmares, panic attacks and other unwanted symptoms. The Rewind Technique is estimated to be effective in reducing PTSD symptoms in about 90% of people.