If you have never seen a counsellor before it is completely understandable that you may be unsure of what to expect, or will perhaps feel a little nervous. Our first meeting would be a chance for us to explore together your reasons for seeking counselling, for you to see how you find the experience of talking to me and for us to consider whether we feel we could work together successfully.
Counselling offers support for many aspects of life. You may wish to talk through a difficult experience; or perhaps you are struggling to make a decision. You may have become aware that patterns seem to repeat themselves in your life in a way that does not feel beneficial. Or perhaps there is a sense that things just do not feel right, that you are not content with your life but struggle to know how to move forwards. Maybe it feels like something needs to change, but you are not sure what.
In many kinds of situations, it can be helpful to be able to talk through what you are experiencing with someone who is impartial and can help you explore the feelings involved from different viewpoints.
The experience of therapy increases our understanding of ourselves in a way that opens up the potential for change. My training enables me to consider and explore with you aspects of your personality and behaviour with which you might not be consciously in touch. We can all be strongly influenced by habits and ways of thinking that have been established earlier in life.
As well as offering immediate support when life is feeling hard, therapy offers the possibility of profound and lasting change through an increased understanding of ourselves.
I work with clients in both the long and short term. If you would like to get in touch, I will offer you an introductory session in which I will listen to what you need and you can see how you find the experience of talking to me. If we decide to work together following this intial session we can consider whether open-ended or time limited therapy would be best suited for your needs.