What is counselling?

As a professional counsellor, I aim to provide a private and confidential setting where there is sufficient trust to enable you to explore issues of concern to you. You may be experiencing a particular difficulty or suffering from general stress. You may be searching for direction or purpose in life or simply seeking greater personal fulfilment. Issues like these, and many others, can be explored in a safe and confidential environment with a counsellor in a way that is not always easy with friends or family.

As a counsellor I will neither judge nor advise you. My role is to help you make sense of your thoughts and feelings. Anxiety, grief and anger stored up within can frustrate emotional growth which may lead to depression if left unresolved. As a counsellor, I will offer you an opportunity to explore and resolve these feelings in order to help alleviate your distress and suffering.

I can help you to examine situations and relationships that are proving troublesome, to locate the source of difficulty and examine options for coping. From this, you may come to understand more about yourself, feel less confused and consider any necessary changes, or perhaps come to terms with things that cannot be changed.

The person-centred approach

The person-centred approach is based on:

• A deeply held respect for the individual.
• The belief that the relationship between counsellor and client is central to the healing process .
• A belief that the client is the expert in his / her own life and will know what hurts and what might help.

Thus, provided that certain conditions are present in the relationship, healing (psychological change) can take place. The necessary conditions are:

• A desire to understand the experience of the person.
• A complete acceptance of and respect for that person.
• A commitment to being genuine in the relationship.

I believe that in this therapeutic environment a person can discover their own inner resources for growth in their own way, and in their own time.

Click for more information about me and my qualifications.

To learn more about the person-centred approach visit www.bapca.co.uk