Understanding Counselling

What is Counselling?

Counselling is a type of therapy that involves talking with a trained professional to address a wide range of personal, emotional, and mental‑health concerns.  In some cases—particularly when a distressing memory from a single event keeps intruding—your counsellor may also offer EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing), a structured protocol that helps the brain re‑process traumatic images and reduce their emotional charge.  Whether through traditional talking therapy or EMDR, the process is collaborative: you explore feelings, thoughts, and behaviours in a safe, confidential, non‑judgemental space.

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Counselling can be used to address a variety of issues, including anxiety, depression, relationship problems, grief and loss, stress, trauma, addiction, and life transitions. Counsellors use a range of techniques to help the client gain insight into their situation and develop new coping strategies and problem-solving skills.

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Counselling can be conducted in various settings, including individual or group sessions, face-to-face or online, and may involve different approaches, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, person-centered therapy, or solution-focused therapy. The length and frequency of counselling sessions can vary depending on the client's needs and goals. Overall, counselling aims to help individuals improve their emotional well-being, enhance their self-awareness and personal growth, and develop more fulfilling relationships and lives.

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Why do people go to Counselling?

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1. Mental health issues: Many people seek counselling to address mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental health conditions.

2. Relationship issues: Counselling can be helpful for individuals who are experiencing relationship problems, including communication difficulties, conflict, infidelity, and other issues.

3. Life transitions: Counselling can provide support and guidance for people going through significant life changes such as divorce, job loss, retirement, or a major illness.

4. Stress management: Counselling can help people learn effective coping skills and stress-management techniques to better manage the challenges and stressors of daily life.

5. Personal growth and self-improvement: Some people seek counselling as a means of personal growth and development, to explore their identity, values, and goals, and to enhance their emotional intelligence, resilience, and self-awareness.

6. Trauma and abuse: Counselling can be beneficial for people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or other forms of violence, to help them process and heal from their experiences.

7. Addiction: Counselling can be an essential part of the treatment for people struggling with substance abuse, addiction, or compulsive behaviors, helping them to address the underlying issues and develop new coping strategies.

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How can Counselling help people?

Counselling can be a very effective way to help people deal with a variety of mental health issues, relationship problems, and life challenges. Counselling provides a safe, confidential space for individuals to talk about their feelings, explore their thoughts and behaviours, and work towards making positive changes in their lives. Through the therapeutic relationship with a counsellor, individuals can gain insight into their problems and develop new coping strategies.

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Research has shown that counselling can be effective in improving mental health outcomes, reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression, improving relationships, and increasing overall life satisfaction. However, it is important to note that not all forms of counselling may work for everyone, and the effectiveness of counselling can also depend on the individual's willingness to engage in the therapeutic process and their rapport with the counsellor.

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What is the difference between Counselling and Psychotherapy?

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Counselling and psychotherapy are two related but distinct forms of talk therapy that involve working with a trained professional to explore and address personal or emotional issues. While both types of therapy aim to help people overcome difficulties and improve their mental well-being, there are some key differences between them.

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Counselling typically focuses on shorter-term issues and is often more solution-focused. It aims to help individuals develop coping strategies, make decisions, and solve problems related to specific issues. For example, someone seeking counselling might work with a therapist to manage stress or anxiety, improve their communication skills, or deal with a recent life transition such as a divorce or job loss.

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On the other hand, psychotherapy is typically longer-term and more focused on exploring underlying emotional and psychological issues. It involves a deeper exploration of a person's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and aims to help them gain insight into their inner world and make meaningful changes. Psychotherapy is often used to address issues such as depression, anxiety, trauma, and relationship difficulties.

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While the distinction between counselling and psychotherapy can be somewhat fluid, in general, counselling is considered to be a shorter-term, more focused form of therapy, while psychotherapy is a longer-term, more intensive process that involves exploring deeper issues. However, both types of therapy can be effective in helping people overcome challenges and achieve greater well-being.

My Therapeutic Approach

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I have primarily trained in four main approaches to Psychotherapy (listed below) and I work on an integrative basis which is based on the idea that no single approach or technique is sufficient for every client, and that a combination of different techniques may be more effective. This allows me to tailor the therapy to the individual client's needs and preferences, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.

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Person Centred Therapy - This therapy is based on the premise that individuals have an innate capacity to move towards growth and 'self-actualisation', and that this can be facilitated by providing a supportive, non-judgmental environment. The client sets the agenda and determines the pace and direction of the therapy. This can help to foster a sense of self-awareness and self-acceptance, enabling the client to develop a greater sense of autonomy and self-direction.

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Psychodynamic - Psychodynamic counselling is a form of therapy that aims to explore the unconscious patterns and conflicts that may be impacting a person's thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. The goal of psychodynamic counselling is to help the client gain insight into their unconscious patterns and conflicts, and to develop a greater awareness of how these issues may be impacting their life.

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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) - CBT is a type of therapy that focuses on the relationship between a person's thoughts, behaviours, and emotions. It is based on the idea that our thoughts can influence our emotions and behaviours and that changing the way we think can lead to more positive outcomes. In CBT, the therapist works with the client to identify negative or unhelpful patterns of thinking and behaviour, and then helps the client develop strategies to challenge and change these patterns.

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EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) - EMDR helps the brain re‑file distressing memories so they stop triggering intense reactions. Using an eight‑phase structure, you first build safety tools, then briefly recall the upsetting event while the therapist applies rhythmic left‑right stimulation—typically eye movements, taps, or tones—which speeds the brain’s natural processing. As this pairing repeats, the memory’s vividness and emotional charge usually fade, new insights surface, and it’s stored in a calmer, adaptive form. Evidence shows EMDR can cut flashbacks, nightmares, and hyper‑arousal, lift mood and sleep, and often achieves these gains in fewer sessions than traditional talk therapy, especially for single‑incident traumas.

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Click here to arrange a free initial consultation.

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Visit the 'FAQ' page for answers to common questions from potential clients.