How I Work
My Approach
PERSON-CENTRED & EXISTENTIALLY INFORMED
Deciding to come to therapy takes courage, and I have the utmost respect for anyone willing to explore the process.
You will find my approach to be founded on empathy - honesty in reflecting back your perspective on life; unconditional warmth; and acceptance of exactly who you are.
Within our confidential relationship it is important that you feel you can express even your most difficult and painful thoughts safely. In this atmosphere we can work collaboratively (remember, you are the expert on you) so that, supported by me, you can work to find your own solutions and the inner-resources to help you cope, now and in the future.
As a person-centred counsellor I believe that we are each unique and have the ability to grow and change – if we are given a supportive and safe environment in which to explore our feelings, thoughts and experiences without being judged. Through bringing issues that we struggle with into awareness, we have the chance to examine and, in time, re-evaluate them. From here comes understanding, acceptance and the chance to regain autonomy.
I am also interested in how we exist in the world – that feeling a level of anxiety is part of being human. Yet this potentially allows us the freedom to make meaning of our lives, and to choose how we respond to difficult past experiences in the present.
HOW I WORK
After we make contact by email or telephone, I will recommend an initial consultation. This gives us the chance to explore how therapy might be helpful to you and, more importantly, to give us the chance to make a connection which you feel we can build on.
Be as honest as you comfortably can be about what is going on for you, and what you might want to change and achieve.
There is no commitment to ongoing work at this stage. Finding the right therapist is important, and if after our initial meeting I think I am not the best therapist for you then I will try to help you find someone more appropriate.
Once we agree to work together, we will decide on a suitable time to meet, usually each week. I will be as flexible and accommodating as possible – however, there are some conditions to our working together which we can discuss at our initial meeting. You’ll find more details on the “Fees” page. Ensuring that you have a safe place to talk is essential and what we discuss in therapy remains confidential. I offer long and short term therapy – preferably face to face, alternatively via Microsoft Teams or telephone - so together we can match our work to your needs.