What is Counselling?
We all experience difficulties in our lives but sometimes people can get stuck and feel unable to resolve issues themselves. A counsellor works with a client in a safe, confidential space to explore difficulties he or she is experiencing. These difficulties can take many different forms: unhappiness in a relationship, death of a loved one, lack of confidence or perhaps a general dissatisfaction with life. In the counselling sessions the client can explore various aspects of their life and feelings, talking about them openly in a way which is often not possible with friends or family. Counselling offers the opportunity to explore these feelings so that they can become easier to understand. The counsellor can help the client to examine in detail the behaviour or situations which are causing difficulty and to look at ways of initiating change.
My Approach As a Humanistic Integrative Counsellor, I recognise that there are significant links between all approaches to counselling. As different clients have different needs, one single approach does not suit everyone; I aim to be flexible, working in a way which most benefits my client. The Humanistic Integrative approach recognises that the quality of the relationship between counsellor and client, rather than any particular theoretical model, is the most successful aspect of therapy. I encourage people to explore their feelings and take responsibility for their thoughts and actions. Emphasis is placed on the client's self-development and achievement of their full potential.
