How can I help?

By providing a safe, confidential environment and non-judgmental, unbiased support, I can help you to access thoughts, feelings, secrets or ideas that you may be holding inside and trying to ignore. You may not be able to express yourself this way to family and friends or, even if you can, you may feel burdened rather than supported by their concern, judgment or lack of understanding. I will offer you a space to be heard, to pause and reflect and to re-build yourself.

Drawing from my knowledge, experience and training, I will offer an unbiased, fresh, professional perspective.  Together we can explore options and find the best possible solutions for you, to help you overcome your difficulties.  There is a saying that if I fish for you, it will feed you for a day; if I teach you how to fish, it will feed you for life.  I am committed to working with you in a way that gives you life skills which can be used long after your counselling has finished so that when you encounter the same stumbling blocks you will be equipped to cope in new ways and relate perhaps differently and better with others.

We are often shaped and moulded by our past experiences and unconsciously repeat familiar patterns, even if they are unhealthy. I will draw on my wisdom and insight to help you notice any self-defeating patterns that you may have in your relationships; we all have blind spots. I will look at triggers and underlying causes and help you understand your defences and reactions in a new way so that the same difficulties do not keep re-surfacing; so that you don’t continue to do things that you know are not good for you.  With this new awareness, you will discover that you have more choice and freedom in how you respond, and different and new possibilities may open to you, bringing about positive changes. I will help you to notice any negative and/or distorted thinking and offer new ways to challenge this.  I will support you through this process of exploration and change.

I will help you to build and develop your strengths and be more true to yourself so that you will no longer feel the need to live as you think you should, and instead, more in a way that feels honestly right for you.  I will help you discover what that means for you so that you can achieve your true potential.  Together we can explore the complexity of your unique self and your relationships.

I will help you to live more fully in the present so that you are not caught up in regretting the past or worrying about the future and missing out on the present moment.  I will assist you to tune into your body more so that you are not always caught up in your thoughts.  I will help you to discover where you hold tension in your body and where you hold joy so that you can notice the connection between your thoughts, emotions and body sensations.

I will help you relate better with others and manage difficult emotions.  I will help you to be kinder to yourself, believe in yourself and be more emotionally balanced. You are likely to feel more empowered to make choices that fit your needs and consequently, you will feel more in control of your life and how you live it. I will help you make the most of your life in a way that is right for you.  For most people, this has a knock on effect on how they feel physically and improves their relationships with others.

Jung says: “ Looking outward we dream, looking inward, we awaken”.