For some people there comes a point in their lives when they recognise that they have been living with distress or in confusion for too long; that anxiety or depression has made life hard to bear. They seek counselling or psychotherapy with a desire for change and having an insight that help is needed.
For some individuals the reasons for their distress seem obvious; they have suffered bereavement or other traumatic life events. Others may be baffled as to the cause of their distress. It may be struggles around relationships, sexuality or work, or difficulties in other areas of their life that lead people to seek help. It may be a desire to be freed from the distressing tyranny of troublesome thoughts. For some a vague but persistent sense of dissatisfaction and lack of fulfilment in life brings them to psychotherapy in search of change and personal growth.
Whatever the underlying difficulty or ambition it can be enormously helpful to have a confidential and safe space to talk things through with someone who will listen; a professional not connected with family or friends who can help begin to make sense of the situation. That is what I offer.
During an initial meeting we will seek to reach an understanding of the broad nature of your problem and of what it is you are seeking; whether from counselling or psychotherapy. Whatever the nature of the difficulty, it can be the case that when a person has been unable to resolve issues in their life or in their relationships it is echoes of past events and influences which are exerting a subtle but disruptive effect in the present. Together we will explore and understand patterns of behaviour which perhaps once protective have now become barriers to a satisfying and fulfilling life. From that point of understanding new ways of being and relating can begin to be evolved.