I offer a confidential space in which you can talk about whatever is causing you concern or distress. I am trained to facilitate your self-understanding and to help you to uncover your own resources. The aim of therapy is to enable you to move towards implementing positive change in your life, creating a more balanced way forward for you.
Talking Therapies can help with:
Abuse, addictions, anger, anxiety, bereavement, depression, eating disorders, family/carer/relationship issues, health related issues, identity problems, loss, personal development, phobias, post-traumatic stress, pregnancy related issues, self-esteem/low self-confidence, sexuality issues, stress, work related issues and many other personal issues.
Counselling
Counselling is a talking therapy that allows you to talk about your problems and explore difficult feelings in a confidential environment. Counselling aims to help you deal with issues that are confusing, painful or uncomfortable.
It is an opportunity to speak to a professional who is caring and non-judgmental. During counselling you can explore your options in depth and you will be supported to make your own decisions.
As the counselling sessions progress you may find that you feel more in control and feel more comfortable making changes in your life.
For some people, simply having the space to talk and reflect is what they need. While other people also find that learning coping strategies from CBT, or the practice of mindfulness is very helpful.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a talking therapy that helps you manage your problems and improve how you feel by changing the way you think and behave. You will be encouraged to start noticing the links between your thoughts, feelings and behaviours.
CBT deals with your current problems, rather than focusing on issues from your past and provides practical ways to improve how you feel. CBT helps you break down overwhelming problems into smaller parts that are easier to manage.
CBT involves undertaking agreed tasks in between sessions (such as keeping a diary to record thoughts and feelings, or trying out new behaviours) so that you can put into practice what has been talked about in the session and increase your learning.
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) provides independent, evidence-based guidance for the NHS on the most effective ways to treat disease and ill health. CBT is recommended by NICE for the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders. There is also good evidence that CBT can help with chronic fatigue, chronic pain, physical symptoms without a medical diagnosis, sleep difficulties and anger management.
Mindfulness
You may have heard about mindfulness as mindfulness is often mentioned in the media. Many employers are also aware of the benefits of mindfulness and offer mindfulness training for employees.
People often rush through life caught up in their own thinking by replaying the past or worrying about the future without stopping to notice much of what is going on around them.
Paying more attention to the present moment and to the world around you is called mindfulness and this awareness can improve your mental wellbeing. Mindfulness can help you to notice when your thoughts are taking over and to stand back from your thoughts instead of getting caught up in them.
Research has found that when people are taught mindfulness practices this can bring about reductions in stress and improvements in mood. Mindfulness has also been found to boost concentration and resilience. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidance for the NHS has recommended mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) for recurrent depression.
