What do Counsellors do?
When you look for a therapist, do you go to the first one available?
Have you ever seen a therapist who wasn't the right fit for you?
Did they understand your work? And what you wanted to discuss?
Have you never seen a therapist & just don't know where to start?
Many counsellors offer general counselling, covering many different areas. But some specialise in specific issues, theories, and interventions. Just like any profession, we each have our strengths and our special interests. Registered Counsellors are required to employ a counselling supervisor to ensure we remain fit to counsel, and to maintain membership of our governing body. When I look for a counsellor for this purpose, I choose a professional who can relate to my lived experience, but also to the type of work that I do; a counsellor who can explore the impact of both, on my health, wellbeing and relationships.
I have professional & lived experience of your work.
I became the type of therapist that I look for.
If this is what you need too, you're in the right place.
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What is my approach to Counselling?
My approach is shaped by 4 things; lived experience, professional experience, qualifications, and the incredible wisdom that clients have shared with me over the last 35 years. I share a unique blend of all these things with you. I am not here to tell you what to do. I help you figure out what you want to do, your way forward, your choice, because deep inside of you is the expert on you. I just guide your ship towards your desired destination, with my unique blend of wisdom.
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During our sessions, my aim is that you will feel accepted, not judged. My hope is that you learn to connect to your best self and live a great life, despite what life is throwing at you.
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I embed a framework called PACE by Dr Dan Hughes into my work because it fits with my therapeutic style, and it's an evidenced-based approach.
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PACE stands for Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, and Empathy.
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The Therapy Session
Playfullness
I like to weave a sense of playfulness into our sessions, because it can help us to flow through painful emotions, and to explore difficult things which we would probably never talk about if we were not using humour.
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Acceptance
When we are curious about our situation, we move away from being judgemental about it. We extend it at arms-length, away from our body, we look at it, and we explore the emotion of it all, without shame or judgement.
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Curiosity
We explore the reasons why, so we can move into acceptance with new understandings. And with these new understandings, we create boundaries, we increase our self-esteem, and we move forward with confidence.
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Empathy
We apply empathy to ourselves and to the other people in the situation. Or we just explore our anger. Sometimes that's more appropriate, and necessary. We explore all the layers, and the truths that exist in the situation, and we learn that it’s ok to feel our feelings.
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My Focus Areas include:
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Health, wellbeing & relationships with others
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Burnout (personal/professional), compassion fatigue
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Work-life balance, self care, self compassion
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Self-esteem, self-development
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Purpose, personal/professional development
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Identifying, prioritising & achieving goals
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Life transitions
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Education & training
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Inclusion
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LGBTQIA, disability, culturally inclusive, deaf, racial justice allied
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Other (email your enquiry to me)
Modalities:​
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Psychoeducation, Motivational Interviewing
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Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Mindfulness, Activity Scheduling
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Person-centred, Strength-based,
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Trauma-informed, Restorative practice,
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Humanistic, compassion focused approach
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Culturally sensitive, evidence-based, contemporary, best practice
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I believe a lot can be achieved through kind humour & playfulness.
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When was the last time you felt playful?
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Do you think you will ever feel playful & light again?
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I think you can & I believe you will.
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**Contact me on the form below**
Book an Appointment​