Counselling

My primary counselling training was in humanistic, person-centred counselling. Central to person-centred counselling is the belief that everyone, deep inside themselves, knows innately, what is right for them; and given the right conditions, can gain not only a greater understanding of themselves, but also bring about change and healing to their lives.

The person-centred (or client-centred) approach was developed in the 1950’s by an American psychologist, Carl Rogers. At the very heart of person-centred counselling, and my own way of working, is that the client is the expert in their own life experiences, and that the counsellor is non-directive, but instead travelling alongside the client, whilst providing certain necessary conditions to enable the client to bring about changes in their lives.

Since working in private practice, I have helped many clients who have come to counselling with a wide range of emotional difficulties, and whilst my work remains person-centred at its core, I have had further training in other counselling approaches and now work in a more integrative way, covering a range of different theories about how we can overcome challenges in our lives.

Before starting sessions, I suggest that everyone has an initial phone introduction, which is helpful to see if you and I are not only a ‘good fit’ to work together, but also for you to ask any questions, gain some idea of how I work, and for me to assess whether my practice can offer you what you are looking for in counselling. This phone introduction lasts around 15 minutes and is free of charge, but it is not a counselling session.

If we are both happy then I will send you a copy of the counselling agreement (terms and conditions of counselling) and we can schedule an appointment.

I offer sessions weekly or two-weekly (by arrangement), or on occasions as a single session. Our sessions can take place face-to-face in the counselling room, or via online video, or over the telephone. You choose what would work best for you.

“We think we listen, but very rarely do we listen with real understanding,
true empathy. Yet listening, of this very Special Kind, is one of the most
potent forces for change that I know”
(Rogers, Carl, 1980)