How do counselling and psychotherapy work?
Therapy offers you the opportunity to talk, in confidence, about anything that is distressing or disturbing you. Talking with a therapist is different from discussing things with friends or family: you will not be judged or given advice but through a process of empathic listening, reflection and questioning, you will come to know yourself better.
Counselling or psychotherapy?
Generally, I refer to my work as counselling when people bring a specific issue that can be worked on in a relatively short space of time and as psychotherapy when the issues are less easily defined and explorative in usually refer to myself as a therapist and our work together, therapy.
How do you work?
I use an integrative approach. My main theoretical influences are attachment theory, existential therapy and the cognitive behavioural approach. I am interested in the way eastern philosophies can inform western psychotherapeutic practice and regularly practice - and recommend - yoga. I offer short and long-term therapy, depending on people's preferences and circumstances.
Clients come to me for many reasons: relationship difficulties, depression, stress, anxiety, loss & bereavement, problems with food, and more generally, to try and make sense of their lives. I have particular experience working with men and women who have been raped or sexually abused and who have endured domestic violence or trauma.
I have a Diploma in Existential Psychotherapy and Counselling from Regents's College, London. I am accredited by the BACP which means that my work complies with standards governing quality and accountability. I work within the BACP Code of Ethics.
I also work for the University of the West of England as a student counsellor and as a bereavement counsellor for North Devon Cruse.
Fees
Initial appointments are £25; thereafter I operate a sliding scale according to income, from £25 - £35 per session. Home visits are possible if you have restricted mobility. Sessions last 60 minutes.