Psychotherapy & Counselling

People often seek counselling/psychotherapy when they are concerned by particular problems, when they are distressed, or when they are experiencing a general sense of unease and lack of fulfilment in their lives. Counselling/psychotherapy can be effective in the treatment of the following issues:

Low self-esteem
Depression
Anxiety
Panic attacks
Phobias
Bereavement loss
Stress
Relationship problems
Childhood problems
Abuse
Issues of isolation or loneliness
Work dissatisfaction
Addictions of various kinds
Eating disorders
A sense that life could be of a better quality
A loss of a sense of direction and purpose

It does not involve giving advice or directing a client to take a particular course of action. The outcome of the work between a client and their counsellor/therapist will be dependent on a variety of dynamics — the effectiveness of the counsellor/therapist, the limitations of the approach, the commitment and effort from the client and the complexity of the issues brought. Counselling/psychotherapy does not offer a ‘magic wand’ and entering into it requires serious consideration. An initial consultation will give you the opportunity to decide whether counselling is a suitable way forward for you.

In the counselling sessions the client can explore various aspects of their life and feelings, talking about them freely and openly in a way that is rarely possible with friends or family. Bottled-up feelings such as anger, anxiety, grief and embarrassment can become very intense and counselling offers an opportunity to explore them, with the possibility of making them easier to understand. The counsellor will encourage the expression of feelings and as a result of their training will be able to accept and reflect the client's problems without becoming burdened by them.