Why see a counsellor or psychotherapist?

People consider seeing a counsellor or psychotherapist for a variety of reasons.

When Life’s OK

Sometimes we reach a stage in our life that feels OK. We are successful in the professional sphere, we have relationships which are generally satisfying and we feel OK with who we are. For some, this is the time to consider focussing on their own personal growth. Recognising and achieving our full potential is a life-long project. Working with a psychotherapist can accelerate some stages of this process.

When things go wrong

Modern life can cause many stresses and strains. Sometimes we can cope with this and at other times it can cause us difficulties. Our health and sense of well-being may suffer, we may feel anxious, depressed or unhappy. Our relationships with partners, children and friends may become problematic. The fulfilment we gain from our work life may diminish. We can be left with a sense of emptiness and isolation.

Psychotherapy can help to make sense of our feelings and experience. It allows a space to fully explore who we are in a safe and non-judgemental environment. It can help people to rebuild their lives in a more positive and satisfying way. It can hep us to regain our vibrancy and vitality, to enjoy richer relationships, engage in life in a more rewarding way.

I provide confidential, professional therapy which can help you achieve a more fulfilling life whether things are OK or not.

What sort of people see a counsellor or psychotherapist?

All kinds of people seek professional help when dealing with life's difficlties. I work with individuals from a wide variety of professional groups including:

Medical professions

Teachers

Business and Management executives

Human Resources professionals

Health Workers

Civil Servants

Local Government staff

CASE STUDIES

The following case studies are examples of the kind of issues people seek professional help for. The details and names have been changed to protect identities.

Sarah is a teacher and she was referred to me by her GP because she was suffering from anxiety and panic attacks. She found it very distressing and was unable to perform her job well, even simple tasks such as shopping were extremely difficult for her. She had begun to feel increasingly depressed. After working together for a few months her anxiety had subsided and the panic attacks were less frequent and less severe. After two years of therapy she is now leading a more fulfilling life. She has taken on increased responsibilities at work and rarely suffers any panic attacks. She is able to manage her anxiety levels effectively.

John, a management consultant, came to me because he was deeply unhappy in his marraige and was in fact having an affair with another woman. He felt in crisis and was afraid that his life was falling apart. We worked together for ten months during which time he was able to break off the affair and begin to rebuild his marraige.

Julie, a nurse, sought help because of coping with a partner who suffered from an addiction. She felt that the best thing for her was to leave him even though she still cared deeply for him. We worked together for ten weeks during which she was supported to make the very difficult decision of breaking off the relationship.

Martin, a GP, was experiencing difficulties with his teenage son. The relationship had deteriorated to such a point that his son had moved out. Over about a year we were able to explore the roots of his difficulties and he has been able to rebuild the relationship in a new and more satisfying way. He is hopeful that one day his son may decide to move back home.

How does counselling and psychotherapy work?

Counselling and psychotherpy involve the systematic use of a relationship between therapist and client to produce changes in thinking, feelings and behaviour.

The provision of a supportive, non-judgemental and respectfully challenging relationship is key to the success of therapy. Clients are encouraged to profitably explore difficult and often painful emotions and experiences. It is a process that seeks to help the client gain an increased capacity for choice, through which they become more autonomous and self-determined.