Approach and values
Through continued learning and experience for over a decade. I am grateful for being able to support and guide clients through their transformation journey. As a trained integrative counsellor I am guided by an integrative philosophy, which draws on all the major schools of psychology. Although, when it comes to the therapeutic relationship with clients, my way of working is grounded in the Person Centred approach, as I believe that Carl Rogers Core Conditions; Empathy (walking in someone else’s shoes); Congruence (being genuine & real); and Unconditional Positive Regard (being non-judgemental and non-critical), are essential attitudes for the counsellor to have within the therapeutic setting. I also believe that all humans will ultimately pursue what is best for them, when they are provided with the right environment and support.
Experience has taught me that there is no single approach that can treat each client in all situations. I therefore utilise whichever therapeutic techniques work best in any given situation. I use both traditional counselling methods alongside non-traditional methods within my therapy sessions, tailored to the individual needs of the client. As I believe effective therapy should take account of all aspects of a person; mind, body and emotions. This means that not only will sessions involve talking, we might also explore breathing or use other more creative techniques. However, I will never enforce that you work in a way that you are uncomfortable with. Whatever therapeutic approach we take, I aim to work with you in a respectful, encouraging, professional, and non-judgemental way.
Although I have my own beliefs and values, be rest assured that I will never knowingly impose my values on you, as it is not my place to be judgemental or dictate. I also believe in the sanctity and dignity of human life, that all people have meaning and purpose, and that no individual is without true value regardless of age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, race, socio-economic status, choices made in life, or religion. This means you will be treated with dignity, respect and genuine concern for your well-being.
I feel that it is important that my clients accept that I act as a guide, rather than a superior/expert who’s role is to fix them. As it is always the client, not the therapist, who must make the decisions regarding their life. As your counsellor/therapist I will provide you with the tools; but it is you who must then make your own choices and implement the changes. You and I will decide together how many sessions you might need. Sometimes people feel better after a relatively short time, but other people need much longer. I give clients the autonomy of deciding how often they require sessions and how many sessions they feel they need.
Aims of counselling/therapy
The key aim of therapy is to assist you in managing any transition in your life that isn’t serving you. Therapy is about freeing ourselves, moving away from what we don't want and towards what we do want. This may involve enabling you to express and manage uncomfortable feelings, without avoiding them or acting them out. Help you to gain a better understanding of your current situation, to bring a sense of relief and allow new healthier perspectives to emerge. Therapy will assist you in developing & building a deeper sense of yourself. This may include unpicking the meanings you have made in your life, exploring what matters in your life, your feelings, beliefs, behaviours, the way you perceive reality and fear, as well as your hopes, dreams, imagination, aspirations and values.
Lastly therapy aims to help you develop the skills and competencies to take responsibility for freeing yourself of some of the life patterns (negative beliefs and thoughts) that may have been holding you back. These skills may involve for example; developing the ability to disengage from past negative programming, an ability to respond compassionately to painful emotions as they arise, an ability to replace self-directed criticism and hostility with self-compassion and self-love, and / or an ability to balance emotions through the cultivation of positive emotional states such as achievement, excitement, compassion, connection, gratitude, relaxation, and peacefulness, so you experience a broader range of emotions. Ultimately resulting in you becoming your own personal inner-therapist.
