Counselling

Counselling is a safe and confidential space for you to talk about your issues and concerns. I will help you to explore your thoughts, feelings and behaviours so you can develop a better understanding of yourself and of others. 

I will help you find your own solutions – whether that’s making effective changes in your life or finding ways of coping with your problems.   If appropriate I will offer a different perspectives to consider, as well as suggesting strategies that we can discuss as you decide the best way forward for you.  What we talk about will vary depend on what you want help with and I will aim to be lead by you, as well as making suggestions as to what may be helpful.  

Our first session

Our first session is an opportunity for us to get to know each other and see if we are a good fit to work together on the issues that are concerning you.  Often the most important thing about therapy is having a good relationship with your therapist, so if it doesn’t feel right, it’s worth hunting around for someone you feel comfortable and able to make a positive working relationship.  There’s no obligation after a first session to continue, so there is no need to make a commitment to therapy before we meet.

During the first session we’ll talk about various things depending on the issue you’d like help with and how you prefer to work.  My aim will be to understand a bit about you and the issue you want help with. 

I will usually ask you to tell me a bit about your family and close relationships, work and anything that feels important to you e.g. significant events that have impacted you either from the past or more recently.  I often ask about your current wellbeing practices e.g. sleep, diet, exercise, social network, how you relax, work-life balance.  I will also ask  whether you have visited your GP or reached out to other professionals.

The key thing will for me is to understand your hopes for counselling and how you will know if it has been helpful to come along.   We’ll also discuss if you do decide to work with me, when we will meet, how often and agree the time.  I usually work with people weekly or fortnightly.

As part of our first session, I will also ask you to complete a new client registration form.  That is to ensure I can look after you online by taking down an emergency contact number and your GP details.

I can help with

  • worry and anxiety

  • low mood and depression

  • bereavement and loss

  • work related stress

  • preventing and recovery from burnout

  • abuse (historic)

  • Self-harm

  • Self-esteem

  • culture shock and re-entry issues

  • spiritual and religious issues

  • building resilience

  • Work-life integration

Are you in Crisis?

If you are currently feeling suicidal or in immediate crisis or distress and need to talk to a counsellor right now, please contact Samaritans 116 123  or Befrienders Worldwide

www.youronlinecounsellor.co.uk