This is the first in a series of blogs I am going to write for my website; these will be updated monthly. And I thought that the first blog should be about me, and my approach to counselling.
You may find, if you are looking for a counsellor, that you see there are different types of counsellors who have different approaches.
I am an Integrative Counsellor, which means I integrate different theoretical perspectives so that I can offer a truly individual service to my clients. These main perspectives are outlined below.
The main core of my work is Person Centred, which means that I do not consider myself to be the ‘expert’ on anyone else’s experience; counselling is a collaboration where together we find a way to work through any difficulties people are having. This approach believes that the therapeutic relationship is the key to any healing. By offering what is known as ‘Core Conditions’, which include empathy and honesty, the person receiving therapy can feel truly heard and understood and this can be a truly empowering experience.
I also have an understanding of Psychodynamic Theories, which relate to things we may have ‘buried’ in our subconscious or unconscious mind. The mind can be likened to an iceberg, with our conscious thoughts and feelings above the waterline, and our unconscious thought processes below the waterline. These deeper feelings may be related to childhood experiences. Counselling can help bring these deeper thoughts and feelings to the surface, where they can be processed and supported. This may include working on emotional trauma, and this usually (but not always) involves longer-term support. I also believe that our early childhood attachment experiences can affect us as adults.
Another way of working that I integrate into my counselling, is a more cognitive approach. This can be helpful when people want more short-term counselling, or where they have a specific situation and are looking for goals and strategies. I would help the client to formulate a goal or two, and think about ways of working towards those goals. This can include an awareness of our ‘negative automatic thoughts’ or other mental roadblocks, and how these can sometimes get in the way of achieving our goals. Another short-term approach I use is Short-Term Solution-Focused Therapy. This looks at the strategies clients already have to support their wellbeing – you may be surprised that you actually do have within you many ways to support your own mental health without even realising it! And through the counselling, we can together help you to understand and enhance those strategies you already have.
I hope this helps you to understand counselling a little more – please reach out to me if you would like any more information, or to book a session.