About Counselling
"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."
Carl Rogers, leading psychologist
My approach to counselling is known as person-centred and is based upon the belief that we all have within us the potential for positive growth and self determination. This potential is nurtured and developed within a caring relationship. In therapy your counsellor provides that caring relationship, helping you access your potential for growth and find your way through your difficulties.
As your counsellor I will offer you a trustworthy and unconditional relationship where you can feel free to explore feelings and thoughts without the fear of being judged. You can expect to feel relief as emotions are openly expressed, to develop self awareness as connections between past and present are made and insights gained into why unhelpful patterns of behaviour have formed. As well as talking, I may draw upon Mindfulness and Focusing to access the information provided by the body and breath, which can enhance the therapeutic process.
Walking therapy is a fruitful way of conducting sessions. You the client walk in peaceful surroundings such as a park speaking to me on the phone. Clients have reported on the benefits of walking therapy, the effects on mind and body are significant and helpful.
I use the terms counselling and psychotherapy interchangeably. Psychotherapists and counsellors have similar trainings, in practice there is little meaningful difference between them. Research has shown that successful outcomes in therapy depend primarily on the quality of the relationship beween client and practitioner, regardless of whether the practitioner calls him or herself a psychotherapist or a counsellor.
To find out more about the practicalities of face to face counselling sessions in Archway, online or on the phone please click here.
"There are no words to thank you for all you've done. You rekindled my inner light and this will stay with me forever"