Counselling is a unique and special relationship that offers you the opportunity to discuss in confidence any difficulties that are having a negative effect on you and may be restricting your ability to live a happy, fulfilled life. It is a relationship in which you will feel accepted and genuinely care for, without judgement, and this in turn can help you to discover for yourself the resources that you have available to make changes and move forward.
It is a common experience for people to know that there is something inside, possibly from the past that still control them. They often know it has to be dealt with somehow, but they are either too afraid to, or do not know how. Unresolved issues can lead to self-doubt, confusion and repression of feelings.
At times, many people feel that they have to pretend to themselves that they are doing okay. This means that life, at least in part, has an unreal quality to it, but many find it increasingly difficult to acknowledge their feelings to themselves, or express them openly to others. People are often uneasy with the emotional part of themselves, particularly emotions that are considered to be negative, such as fear and anger.
In counselling you can learn how to be more in touch with your feelings, and gain an increasing trust in them, and because you become less afraid of your feelings you have less need to deny them, and this means more of your attention is available to living in the present moment.
Whatever it is that is affecting your life and preventing you from living it to the full, as a counsellor I will work with you to help you to find ways of expressing and resolving difficulties and help you to look at how you might get more of what you need from your relationships, career, family life etc.
Most people can benefit from counselling, however there are some restrictions.
If you are under 18, because of UK legislation, we are unable to help and suggest you contact Childline on Freephone 0800 1111.
Anyone who is currently undergoing therapy of any kind elsewhere
Anyone who is believed to be suffering from any form of mental illness or personality disorder that restricts their ability to maintain sufficient communication.
If you are in crisis you may need to contact your friends, family, doctor, minister, social worker or one of the many national helplines listed in your local phone directory. You can also contact the Samaritans 24 hours a day on www.samaritans.org