Counselling therapy in London: Gain a fresh insight into your life

What is counselling?

We all have times in our lives when life gets on top of us. We may have stress at work, have conflicts in our relationships, feel depressed or anxious, or feel lacking in confidence or self-esteem. Often friends and family can offer support, but sometimes this is not enough. Sometimes we need professional support. What can be valuable in counselling is the opportunity to express yourself to someone who is separate from the rest of your life, who won't be overwhelmed or shocked by what you say, and won't tell you what to do.

Client and counsellor, through a confidential and supportive relationship, meet on a regular basis to talk about the client's issues. The aim is to help the client overcome emotional difficulties and free her or him from self-destructive ways of feeling, thinking and behaving. This is done through helping the client gain insight into and, therefore, control over her or his life. Counselling will not involve advice, but will concentrate on exploration, understanding and experimentation with new ways of thinking and behaving.

How I work

There are a number of different approaches to counselling. I work integratively, so while primarily using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, I also draw upon Humanistic, Psychodynamic and Solution-Focused approaches. This approach acknowledges that the quality of the therapeutic relationship, rather than any one therapeutic orientation, is the most important factor in predicting a positive outcome in counselling. My experience has taught me that no one approach to counselling works best for all clients and all issues, so by integrating approaches I am better able to meet the client's needs.

The initial consultation is an opportunity for you to determine whether you want to work with me. I encourage people not to decide on the day, but to reflect on the session and then arrange another appointment.