What is Counselling?

There are times in our lives when things seem particularly difficult. Counselling provides a safe, confidential and non-judgemental space where you can explore your difficulties.

A counsellor's role is not to give advice but to help you work through some of the things that may be getting in the way.

Counselling can be useful for a wide range of issues including: depression, anxiety, bereavement, problems with anger, stress, relationship problems, loss of direction in life, insomnia, personal growth.

There are also times when you might want to get more out of your life. When you know you want to make a change but are not sure how. Sometimes knowing a little bit more about yourself can lead to greater fulfillment. Counselling can be a useful way of enhancing your own journey of personal growth.

What Next?

If you think counselling may be useful for you, you are very welcome to give me a call to find out more about how I work. Once we have spoken on the 'phone you may wish to come and see me for an mutual assessment session. In this first session you can meet me and decide whether you want to come for regular counselling sessions.

How long does counselling last?

I usually suggest that we agree to an initial six sessions. In the fifth session we will discuss whether you want to end counselling after the sixth session or whether you might benefit from continuing. Long term counselling can sometimes last for many months. We would meet once a week.

What does it Cost?

My fee is £45 per session which lasts 50 minutes.

Something About Gestalt

For those of you unfamiliar with what Gestalt therapy is, I thought I would write a few quick lines by way of introduction.There were a few things that attracted me to this way of working. I like the emphasis on working in the here and now. While the past contributes to who you are today, I am much more interested in your experience in the present and what it is like during our meeting now, than I am in your past or your future. So as a gestalt therapist I want to find out about your past to contextualise and better understand our meeting in the present. According to Gestalt theory, the healing happens most effectively in the live, here and now relationship.

Awareness is the cornerstone of gestalt. Some writers say that awareness is the goal of gestalt therapy. We are often not aware of aspects of who we are. Sometimes I might have feelings that perplex me or cause me difficulty in my interactions with others and with the world. By becoming aware, in other words, by really understanding myself, getting to know myself and ultimately accepting who I am, I will be able to cope with my life much more effectively.