More about my approach to counselling, and about my areas of specialism.
Questions answered on this page:1. What is Counselling?
2. What is the difference between counselling and psychotherapy?
3. What conditions can counselling help?
4. When is counselling not suitable?
5. What benefits can be expected?
6. What is Gay affirmative counselling?
7. What is Person Centred Supervision?
1. What is Counselling?
It's an opportunity to talk about things that concern you, in a relationship of trust and acceptance - working to find a way forward that feels right for you.
At our first session, you will get an idea of how I work. After that, you can decide whether you want to return for further sessions, We can talk further about what's involved at the next session.
Counselling is usually a weekly session of 50 minutes. It may be just a few sessions, or it can continue for a year or longer. How long we continue depends on whether you are still finding it helpful - we can check that out regularly.
There are many counselling approaches. I am trained in 'Person Centred' and 'Existential' counselling. Much of the further training I have had has been based on the Person Centred approach, and some from other 'humanistic' approaches such as Gestalt. I have also qualified more recently as a psychosexual and relationship counsellor.
The following quotes (in italics) summarise the person centred and the existential approaches, and are from the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy Website - BACP.
To visit the BACP website, click here
You can also find out more at the Counselling Directory Website, click here
About Person Centred Counselling:
'Devised by Carl Rogers and also called "client-centred" or "Rogerian" counselling, this is based on the assumption that an individual (client), seeking help in the resolution of a problem he (or she) is experiencing, can enter into a relationship with another individual (counsellor) who is sufficiently accepting and permissive to allow the client to freely express emotions and feelings. This will enable the client to come to terms with negative feelings, which may have caused emotional problems, and develop inner resources. The objective is for the client to become able to perceive himself as a person, with the power and freedom to change, rather than as an object'.
About Existential Counselling:
'Existentialists believe that life has no essential (given) meaning: any meaning has to be found or created. Existential counselling involves making sense of life through a personal world view and includes a willingness to face one’s life and life problems'.
2. What is the difference between counselling and psychotherapy?
This is a question over which some of the professionals themselves are arguing! In general, the training for psychotherapy is longer and more 'in depth' (one year longer for instance). I am not qualified as a psychotherapist. On the other hand, I do have much more experience than a newly qualified 'psychotherapist', and I have done a lot more training since my initial counselling qualification. (In fact, years ago I was told by a supervisor that what I offer is psychotherapy).
For me, the main thing is the relationship. You as the client will feel comfortable and able to work at depth with some people and not with others, and whether they are a 'counsellor' or a 'psychotherapist' is not always the most important thing. We are all different. The best thing if you are in any doubt, is to ask for an initial meeting before you decide.
3. What Conditions Can Counselling Help?
Counselling can help in many situations. My belief (substantiated by research) is that in a safe and trusting relationship, most people can work effectively on most issues.
My experience includes working with psychosexual and relationship issues, sexuality, serious illness, disability, depression, anxiety, bereavement and loss, and cultural issues.
I work with people who may wish to explore issues raised when they do not feel accepted due to their different sexuality, religion, culture, or other 'different' identity. I am open to exploring how that might affect your relationship with me, or with others in your daily life.
4. When is Counselling not suitable? anyone who is actively psychotic, having a current serious mental illness, a recent history of violence or a person whose needs could be met more fully by a specialist agency or treatment centre e.g. alcoholism, drug addiction, or psychiatric service. In this case your GP would be able to advise you on sources of support locally.
5. What Benefits can be Expected?
In some instances a problem may go away altogether if it is shared and worked on. Often however, it is not possible to change a situation. What may be possible is to change your way of living with that situation, so that the stress on you is reduced.
6. What is Gay Affirmative counselling?
I identify as a heterosexual woman. Being gay affirmative means that I regard other sexualitites - homosexuality and bisexuality - as having equal value with heterosexuality. It means working to find a way towards expressing your sexuality in a way that is true to your sense of identity. I am a member of the Directory of Pink Therapists. Pink Therapy is the UK's largest independent therapy organisation working with gender and sexual minority clients. To visit their website, click here
7. What is Person Centred Supervision? It is a professional requirement that counsellors have the opportunity to talk through their work with another suitably experienced counselling professional. This is done within an agreement that maintains the confidentiality of the clients, and serves at least two main purposes: it is a chance to learn by sharing ideas with another professional, and it is an opportunity to monitor one's work.
As a person centred supervisor I strive to model the 'core conditions' of empathy, genuineness, and unconditional positive regard in a supervisory relationship that is mutually respectful and inclusive: so that the supervisee can feel safe in bringing all their work to supervision - including occasions when it doesn't seem to have gone so well - and learn from it for the future.
If you are a counsellor (or counselling student) looking for a supervisor, I suggest that you book a free half hour appointment with me so that we can talk about it and get an idea of how we might work together.
I work with individual supervisees, and I am on the Metanoia Institute's list of approved Person Centred Supervisors. I am also a group Supervisor (with the Ealing Abbey Counselling Service). I am experienced in supervising both student counsellors and qualified counsellors.
