Counselling & Psychotherapy

I provide Counselling & Psychotherapy for traditional therapeutic issues and have a particular interest in identity - how it is formed, how it shapes our experiences, and how upgrading identity allows us to be free of limitations, be our-self and connect to potential. I typically work with issues such as:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Traumatic events
  • Personality disorders
  • Changing habits or life patterns
  • Unhelpful thoughts or feelings
  • Self-esteem / Self-confidence
  • Fears, phobias and panic attacks
  • Relationship conflict
  • Sexual problems or issues
  • Grief and loss
  • Eating disorders
  • Health and wellbeing issues
  • Lack of purpose / meaning to life 

Counselling and Psychotherapy

Defining counselling and psychotherapy can sometimes be tricky - they are both very similar and yet can also be quite different. In practice I tend to consider counselling as support to deal with a specific event (grief, loss, trauma, etc.) and psychotherapy as an opportunity to resolve a deeper or more pervasive pattern of distress, hurt or negative behaviour (depression, anxiety, phobias, identity, etc.) Positive psychotherapy focusses on building patterns that give a persons life meaning (happiness, success, fulfillment, etc.)

My psychotherapeutic Approach

I am a UKCP Registered Psychotherapist and my primary approach is Neuro-Linguistic Psychotherapy. This approach is outcome focussed and explores the conscious and unconscious patterns that lie behind a persons thoughts, feelings and actions. By working with a persons metaphors, language patterns and their here and now experience I assist clients to change old patterns, add choices, release unhelpful emotions, update beliefs and gain more freedom. (Follow the links to read more about NLPt and NLP). My work with a wide vareity of clients also incorporates elements of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Hypnosis and Transactional Analysis (TA) where appropriate. I am also a stong advocate of the Happiness Coaching and Success Intelligence work of Robert Holden PhD and strengths based positive psychotherapy from the VIA Institute on Character and the field of positive psychology.

Therapeutic Format

Investing in therapy is often a commitment to inner contentment and future success. The number of sessions required depends on the issues a person wants to address and how complex these may be. My approach is guided by you and is “as long as it takes and no longer.”

Short term psychotherapy
Traditional psychotherapy
Positive psychotherapy
Applying NLP techniques over one or two sessions can give very good results with simple phobias, reducing allergic responses, some medical issues, unwanted emotional reactions and single event anxiety. Taking the time to help you explore you, the problem you have been experiencing, and update your sense of identity and belief in what is appropriate and possible for you in the world. This is the most suitable approach for complex or chronic situations, hurt, mental disorders and behavioural problems. Many issues are usually completed in a series of 6-15 sessions. Sometimes what can be stopping a person enjoying the present is not past problems but a lack of direction and meaning. Positive psychotherapy redresses this balance by helping people connect to their true self, adopt an attitude of gratitude and use their character strengths more fully.

To support individuals with particular performance goals or to explore their personality I offer personal coaching.
To support managers and leaders to focus on what matters and eliminate the negative I provide executive coaching.

The Session

In practice once we have agreed your overall outcome for the psychotherapy each session has three elements. Firstly we check-in with your current situation and agree the topic for the current session. Secondly I will use observation, questions, stories, exercises and psycho-education to help you develop your own insight and solutions. This section is always guided by you, your outcome and your 'here and now' experience. Finally you be invitied to commit to actions to take over the coming days.

However we agree to hold the sessions, the initial 20 minutes of working together is a chance for introductions and an overall assessment of the area(s) to be addressed. At the end of this period we jointly assess progress and agree overall goals / outcomes, and an appropriate number of sessions.

Professional

UKCP LogoI have been involved in development and training for over 16 years working with individuals and groups. I am a UKCP Registered and NLPtCA Accredited Psychotherapist and INLPTA Registered NLP, Coaching and Business Communications Trainer. As a member of NLPtCA and EMCC I have regular supervision and abide by their code of ethics and conduct. While not working 1:1, I run certified courses in Coaching and NLP and work as a training consultant.

Confidential

Each session of confidential support is an opportunity to have uninterrupted time to focus on yourself, your issues and what you want.

Investment

For private clients

Psychotherapy charges are £50 per hour.  
Sessions are usually 1 hour long and I see most clients once every 10 days or so.

For employees

I offer a confidential service to support employees with stress or coping with a traumatic event for instance. Counselling and psychotherapy is agreed for a set number of sessions (usually 3-6) and can be based on NLPt, CBT, Solution Focussed and Positive Psychology approaches. Charges are £60 per hour, including assessment reports as required.

Next Steps

When you are ready, please give me a call on 07899 856518 to discuss your situation and how explore how psychotherapy can help you to be even more of your true self, even more of the time.  If I don't feel I can help I will put you in touch with several alternative therapists - it is very important that I feel I can do my best work with each of my clients.