Listen What Is Counselling
Counselling is a talking therapy which provides a safe and confidential space for you to talk to a trained professional about your issues and concerns. Your counsellor (also known as a therapist) will help you explore your thoughts, feelings and behaviours so you can develop a better understanding of yourself and of others.
A counsellor will help you find your own solutions, whether that’s making effective changes in your life or finding ways of coping with your problems. They won’t advise you or prescribe medication but may signpost you onto other services if they feel this is relevant.
There are many different counselling approaches. I am trained and work within a framework called Transactional Analysis (TA) and also draw on other methods of working including CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), solution-focused coaching and mindfulness depending on an individuals’ needs.
What is Transactional analysis?
Transactional Analysis (TA) is an approach to psychotherapy originally developed by Eric Berne in the late 1950s.
TA theory is designed to help explore human behaviour, personality and communication and how this has been shaped by our past experiences.
Working within TA, I use an integrative approach drawing from cognitive, psychoanalytic , psychodynamic and relational schools of working which enable me to work creatively with my clients depending on their individual needs.
TA is about personal growth and development. It is about learning why we do the things we do and experience the difficulties that we have, about examining and understanding these and when we are able to, choosing to make decisions to make changes to improve our lives. It is also about accepting the parts of us we can’t change and grieving the things we may never have.
TA offers a variety of different models, techniques and tools which are generally simple to understand and use. I sometimes share details of these with you if I think they will be helpful and are appropriate for your needs.
TA is an approach that focuses on individuals reaching a state of well-being and achieving their full potential. Some of the most important principles that underpin my philosophy as a counsellor include:
People have equal worth People can think for themselves and take responsibility for their own destiny People can make decisions and these can be changed
The atmosphere that supports TA is non-judgemental, secure and respectful, ensuring that a positive relationship is forged between the therapist and client in order to provide a model for subsequent relationships and communication that are developed outside of therapy.
For a list of common questions you may have about having counselling please see my FAQs page.
