‘Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing begins an open field.
I'll meet you there’. Rumi
How does counselling with me work
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The warm, understanding, and accepting presence of another person creates a safe environment for processing difficult experiences. This will be the foundation of our work together.
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I will listen attentively and strive to understand your experiences from your perspective. With each disclosure, I will work to develop and express my genuine understanding and acceptance of your thoughts and feelings.
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We will explore your hopes for therapy. I will always be interested in understanding what you feel works for you and what doesn’t. I will share with you my ideas about effective methods and the reasoning behind them. Together, we will decide on how to approach our work.
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Sometimes, simply having a space to unload, be vulnerable, scared, or angry, express difficult thoughts, or just cry can be incredibly helpful. This space will always be available to you.
Counselling provides a 'breathing space' — a unique environment that is somewhat separate from everyday life. In this safe 'container' you are free to examine any thoughts, feelings, or experiences without facing any consequences. I am not affected by your feelings, thoughts or words in the same way as your family, friends, colleagues or partners might be. I have no interest in judging you or your thoughts or feelings. I simply accompany you on your journey of exploration.
Understanding
My therapist once told me, “We are unhappy because we lack a coherent picture of our story.” By sharing your experiences with me, you can gain a clearer perspective on them. This clarity helps you feel more in control, especially during times when anxiety or depression might overwhelm you.
Difficult emotions
In the secure 'container' where therapy takes place, you can experience, express, and process your difficult and often confusing feelings and emotions. This process helps you become more familiar with these emotions, so that in your daily life, you can be more aware of them. As a result, you can regain control and behave in a way that is more true to who you are.
Behaviours
Problematic behaviours such as getting into arguments, drinking excessively, worrying, self-criticism, and engaging in activities you wish to avoid are issues we can address in therapy. Our goal will be to help you understand the origins of these behaviors, the roles they play in your life, and what life might be like without them. Additionally, we will work together to find effective strategies for managing these behaviours directly.
Methods
There are several methods we can use to help you explore your feelings, thoughts, and behaviours more effectively and deeply.
These methods may include:
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two-chair and empty-chair work,
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emotional processing,
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mindfulness-based exercises,
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micro-analysis of your thoughts, emotions, and behaviours in challenging situations (CBT)
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timeline creation (your life story),
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dream analysis,
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and others...
We may also adopt a relational approach, concentrating on what is happening in 'the here and now'. For example, we might explore your internal reaction to a specific question I asked or a comment I made. Similarly, I might share my own internal reactions or thoughts with you. Through these explorations, you can gain insight into how you experience relationships and even try out new ways of relating to others.