About Counselling & Psychotherapy
What is Counselling and Psychotherapy?
A confidential relationship within which to explore issues of concern or distress, affecting an individual's life. It is an opportunity to be heard in a non-judgmental, safe and supportive environment. Unlike discussing issues with friends or family, who may become upset or too involved, Counselling/Psychotherapy provides time and space for you to talk through your issues with an impartial and emphatic listener.
How can Counselling & Psychotherapy help me?
Counselling and psychotherapy can help you to explore your feelings, gain new awareness and investigate alternative choices. It is not advice giving or about instructing you on what to do but instead, counselling and psychotherapy empowers you to find your own best ways forward. The aim of the process is to help you to better understand yourself and review other, perhaps more rewarding options.
How are Counselling & Psychotherapy different?
The terms counselling and psychotherapy are used interchangeably and even within the profession there is some discord as to whether they are different practices. It is generally accepted that counselling is shorter term work, focused on difficulties in the here and now and that psychotherapy is longer term work, at a deeper or unconscious level.
How will I know if therapy is for me?
The initial appointment is an assessment session, where we explore together the issues which have brought you to therapy. We discuss your expectations, explore whether therapy is an appropriate intervention and decide whether you are comfortable working with me and my approach. This initial appointment is offered without any on going commitment from the client, so that you can put a toe in the water and check out the process.
In subsequent sessions, we then work together, reviewing and reflecting on progress. I work on either a short-term basis (up to 8 weeks) or on a longer term basis, taking into account each client's clinical requirements and personal situation.
What is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing is a powerful psychological treatment method that was developed by an American clinical psychologist, Dr Francine Shapiro, in the 1980s. Traumatic memory can remain unprocessed in the brain, causing the person to re-experience distressing events, as if they were occurring in the here and now. EMDR can facilitate the processing of this trauma memory, by using bi-lateral stimulation, similar to that experienced naturally during the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) stage of the sleep cycle. EMDR can be used to treat anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, addiction and low self esteem. More information can be found at EMDR Association UK
