What is Counselling or Psychotherapy?

Person-centred counselling and psychotherapy gives you the space, time and encouragement to explore yourself and your  problems, to express your feelings, come to terms with the past, and to clarify what you want now.

Counselling or psychotherapy is essentially just two people in a room, talking. It's relaxed and informal, though it may feel intense. Though 'just talking' sounds simple, counselling is a powerful cumulative process. A light is shone on you, your hopes and dreams, and your past. That spotlight might feel strange at first, but this sense of strangeness usually doesn't last long.

People come for counselling about a wide variety of issues, from anxiety, depression, feeling alienated or lost, sexuality (gay and straight), addictive behaviour, to relationship or marriage problems.

Although counselling and psychotherapy may deal with difficult or painful issues and memories, it can also be surprisingly enjoyable. People are sometimes nervous about coming and certainly it is a big and important step in helping yourself. But you will never be forced to talk about things which are too painful. How 'deep' you go is up to you. Very difficult experiences are only talked about if you want to and when you are ready.
 
When you have experienced loss or difficult situations, counselling can help you to come to terms with what has happened. When you know you want to change your life but don’t know exactly what to do, counselling helps you become clearer and supports you in moving on.

You will generally see me once a week for a 50 minute session. How many sessions you have is up to you. Just one can be powerful, but I also see people for anything from a few months to over a year.