About therapy
Psychotherapy and Counselling
Psychotherapy and Counselling, although two completely different terms, are both essentially the same thing. Both counsellors and psychotherapists provide a service for people who are looking for support and treatment for a wide range of mental health and emotional issues. The possibility that there is a difference between the two is a heavily debated question in the field of mental health treatment, and one that has yet to be answered. Some experts claim that counselling tends to tackle problems at the time of the crisis, whereas psychotherapy focuses on long-term, deeply embedded psychological problems.
Whether you choose a counsellor or psychotherapist, the main thing is to choose the right individual. How you connect and build a rapport with the counsellor or psychotherapist is very important and likely to determine how successful the treatment is going to be. It is also helpful to have a little knowledge on the different therapeutic approaches they may offer. There are many different therapies that can be used by counsellors and psychotherapists, some involve looking at past experiences, including relationships and childhood dynamics, exploring how these have affected your life circumstances, while others involve looking at the ‘here and now’ and what may be the way forward.
Beginning therapy is a major step and one that should be taken with care and consideration. It is an emotional and financial investment that can help you explore and resolve the difficult past and live a better, more healthier future.
Psychological conditions and life issues
I work with a number of presenting issues which are outlined below, while such conditions and emotional and behavioural difficulties provide an understanding of why you have sought help, my approach will be to work with your own unique life experience which ultimately transcends a condition or label. After all as Kierkegaard famously said: "Once you label me, you negate me."
Depression
Anxiety
Stress
Addiction
Trauma
Childhood abuse
Domestic violence
Eating disorders
Physical pain and medical issues
Psychosomatic issues
Relationship problems and relational dynamics
Employment issues
Loss/separation and bereavement
Identity problems
Spiritual crisis and lack of meaning and purpose in life
Self-esteem and confidence issues
OCDs
Suicidal ideation and existential crisis
Please note that I work with a myriad of issues that I may not have covered on here. If you are not sure whether I can help you with your specific problem or need more information, please do not hesitate to contact me and I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have.
How I can help
My training as an integrative Psychotherapist allows me to use different modalities, thoughts, ideas and ways of exploring and understanding with you, your current life situation. I will be focusing with you on the here and now and what may be your experience of where you are today, as well as bringing forward and becoming more aware of your past experiences and relationships that could be affecting your life. I will help you to look within and make links and psychological, emotional and behavioural connections. Encouraging you to better understand patterns that may have been in place for many years, affecting your personal life, relationships, work life and general health and wellbeing.
I believe that the most important part of therapy is my relationship with you as my client; the trust, faith, bond and understanding within the therapy room can be the most healing and therapeutic part of the process. It is this inexplicable and inaccessible therapeutic alliance that is the cornerstone of the work between us and it is this experience that helps many heal and move forward in life.
I feel that it is important for you to become your own therapist and so my focus will be to help you in a non directive yet questioning and explorative manner. Empowering you to see what may be happening for you and how you can move forward. I will help you become more curious about your feelings, thoughts, behaviours, motives, decisions, and more importantly the way you experience life.
Specialist clinical interest
Addiction
I have a special interest and vast amount of experience in the field of addiction and recovery, including substance abuse such as drugs and alcohol, gambling, sex and pornography, gaming, co-dependent relationships and many other behavioral addictions. I also have many years of experience and expertise in working with families and those affected by their loved one's addiction and road to recovery.
Psychosomatic issues
My doctoral thesis has been based on my keen interest in the connection between the mind and the body. I have explored and researched extensively into how what takes place in our psyche equally plays out in our body, including a number of explained and unexplained illnesses and struggles. As well as my interest in how one's childhood development and early trauma, can have potential lifelong impact on one's physical and mental health, including on autoimmune disease, cancer, ADD/ADHD, addictions, and a wide range of other conditions.