Counselling for Adults

Listening carefully is the largest part of what all counsellors do. By listening, I can help you clarify the problem areas in your own terms and decide what steps you want to take next. I will always let the work proceed at your pace.

My role is not to give you advice, tell you what to do or judge you in any way. The aim of counselling is to help you come to your own decision(s), only you know how you feel in any given situation. I might sum up what I understand about you have been saying so that I can help you to form a plan of action.

You do not have to be in crisis or on the verge of one before choosing to have therapy. Please contact me to see how counselling can help if you are currently struggling to overcome a particular issue in your life, and you feel that counselling could possibly benefit you right now.

There is no limit on how much counselling somebody might need or want, and part of my work is to regularly review clients’ progress and make sure the counselling is still working for them. I mainly offer open-ended counselling, a therapy which proceeds at your own pace. This allows us time and space to build an effective working relationship, which is key for successful therapeutic work, and allows you to gradually develop insight into the root cause of your concerns. Most clients continue in therapy for as long as they want, which can range from months to years. I also offer short-term counselling, which is a good step for people who do not want to make a long commitment or have a particular issue to work with such as a relationship difficulty. It is often used by people who have had counselling in the past and want to return to work on a particular issue. Short-term counselling is usually from 6 to 20 weeks, although some people only want one or two sessions. Together we can agree the issues that need to be worked on and set aims for the sessions. You should bear in mind that it can take a few sessions before you notice changes and improvements in your life.

I may sometimes incorporate CBT into my approach, but it only suits some personalities and some situations. I do not offer pure CBT at my practice but if it is something you feel you want I can help you find someone right for you. CBT can be extremely useful. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy involves learning skills for overcoming behaviours, habits or reactions that are “making things worse”. This could be learning ways to overcome panic attacks or stress, for avoiding the triggers for overeating or even from entering into unsuitable relationships. However, used on its own it is usually unhelpful for bereavement, loss or a recent trauma. It would for instance not be used for someone coming to terms with a bereavement, but it may become helpful at a later time.

Counselling doesn’t cure but it does help understand what lies behind your thoughts, feelings and behaviours. It is a talking therapy that allows you to talk about what distresses you in a safe and comfortable environment. Counselling can help bring closure to events that trouble you. It can help you develop healthier and more appropriate ways of managing life’s difficulties.

If you need to cancel a session more than 48 hours in advance, there is no cancellation fee. Within 48 hours you would be charged 50% of the fee and if you cancel with less than 24 hours’ you would need to pay the full amount.