What to expect
When life starts to feel overwhelming it can seem like nothing will ever change. It can feel difficult to talk to friends or family for fear that you might be judged, that they might see a vulnerable side that you don’t want to share or that you might be burdening them. Over time this can worsen and your mental health and emotional wellbeing can start to affect your physical body.
Talking to a therapist can lighten your load, helping you to gain perspective and understanding about yourself and how you respond to the people around you and your environment. This awareness can enable you to work towards and embrace acceptance and this in turn, helps you to address the changes you would like to make in your life. My clients have often told me that saying the words out loud, whilst at first a bit scary, can have a profound effect and enable growth and healing.
Young people
Recent surveys show that young people are finding life really tough and this is impacting their mental health and wellbeing. There are increasing pressures in our complex society: living up to their own and other people’s expectations, the school or college environment, relationship and friendship issues, concerns about identity and sexuality, the cost of living, climate change and world issues can all create confusion and anxiety.
I have a wealth of experience working with young people who often tell me that talking to a therapist without feeling judged means they can address issues which really worry them or which may bring about feelings of shame or anger. It is important to me that young people maintain autonomy in our work together and feel guided and supported, listened to rather than led. ​I have supported many young people who are struggling with anxiety and low mood, self-harming behaviour and suicidal thoughts, neurodivergence including dyslexia, ASC and ADHD and its subsequent impact on education and self-esteem, relational trauma and adverse childhood experiences including parental separation and divorce. I feel particularly strongly that young can be helped to develop their self-esteem and confidence through reframing their sense of self and learning assertive communication skills. I have an advanced DBS Disclosure.
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Some useful links​
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/
https://www.mindworks-surrey.org/our-services/building-resilience/groups-children-and-young-people
https://www.annafreud.org/resources/children-and-young-peoples-wellbeing/self-care/
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I use many therapeutic approaches in my counselling practice which are tailored to your needs and always respect your autonomy. In other words I will always listen carefully to what you hope to get out of our work together.
Person-Centred Counselling​
This is the foundation for my counselling practice. Working in the here and now, we can build awareness of some of the blocks to living a more contented life. Whilst some of these issues might be rooted in past experiences, we will explore where you are right now and how to reach your full potential. ​Person-centred counsellors believe that you have the resources to find your own solutions, and that a therapeutic relationship built on openness, empathy and non-judgment can enable growth and healing.
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Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychodynamic therapy helps you to understand that your current thoughts, feelings and behaviours are shaped by past experiences which may have slipped into your unconscious mind. Often when we don't understand why we relate to people and situations in certain ways and the answer may lie in early lifetime experiences. Gentle exploration can lead to greater self-awareness and understanding.
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CBT and DBT.
CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) takes a practical approach which focuses on how your thoughts, feelings and beliefs affect your actions and behaviours. It can be helpful when dealing with coping behaviours such as avoidance, OCD and phobias using techniques like behaviour experiments to help you challenge some of your negative thoughts. DBT (dialectical behaviour therapy) is like CBT and is used when very strongly felt emotions and disregulation are seriously impacted your life. The focus is on helping you understand and accept your difficult feelings and learn skills to manage them, enabling you to make positive changes.
Transactional Analysis​
TA is a theory of personality, communication and behaviour. Many clients respond very positively to TA because it has at its heart a philosophical belief that people are "ok". Everyone has the capacity to think, but people, often in childhood, make decisions about themselves, the world and others which can adversely affect all aspects of their lives. These "core beliefs" and decisions are not always real and can be changed. TA is helpful in enabling personal growth, change and understanding the dynamics of relationships.​​​
Mindfulness
​For many clients, the practice of mindfulness can be really helpful in grounding them when life is feeling too much. For some people this might mean developing daily meditations or practising breath work, whilst for others it might be as simple as pausing in your day for just a few minutes to observe how you are feeling in your mind and body. Scientific research has shown that this is particularly effective for those who have suffered trauma and can enable long lasting change. If this is something you think you will find helpful, we can explore it together and look at resources to support you between sessions.
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