Understanding Counselling
What is counselling?
Counselling is talking therapy with a trained professional, in a safe, confidential and non-judgemental space. Together we explore your feelings, thoughts and patterns so you can make sense of what's happening and find a way forward.
It can help with anxiety, depression, stress and burnout, relationship difficulties, grief and loss, trauma, life transitions, and questions of identity and purpose.
Research shows counselling can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, improve relationships and increase overall wellbeing. A big part of what makes it work is the relationship between you and your counsellor, so it matters that you feel comfortable with who you choose.
What is the difference between counselling and psychotherapy?
The terms overlap and are often used interchangeably. Counselling tends to be shorter-term and focused on a particular issue, such as stress, a decision or a recent loss. Psychotherapy tends to be longer-term and explores deeper patterns, often rooted in earlier experiences. In practice, I work flexibly across both, depending on what you need.
My therapeutic approach
I work integratively, which means I don't rely on a single model. I draw on four main approaches and tailor them to you:
Person-centred therapy: You set the agenda and the pace. It is based on the belief that, in a supportive and non-judgemental relationship, people have a natural capacity to grow and heal.
Psychodynamic therapy: We explore unconscious patterns and earlier experiences that may still be shaping how you think, feel and relate to others.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT): We look at the links between your thoughts, feelings and behaviours, and develop practical strategies to change unhelpful patterns.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing): A structured therapy that helps the brain reprocess distressing memories so they lose their emotional charge. It is recommended by NICE for PTSD, and you can read more about it on my EMDR Therapy page.
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Visit the 'FAQ' page for answers to common questions.