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What can counselling do for me?

 

There are many non professional therapies available that offer support and comfort and  healing to a troubled person.  All can add another dimension of support to your life.  However there may come a time in your search for answers and meaning to your life when you recognise that you need professional clinical support in the form of counselling or psychotherapy.

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What can I expect from a counselling session with Val?

 

I am trained and skilled to focus on how you think and why you think the way you do.  Together we can begin a journey of self discovery.   Discovering your true self, accepting your true self and knowing why you react in certain ways, and how you respond in certain situations can offer freedom and a new beginning.  A new beginning in work situations, relationships and friendships.

My counselling therapy is always underpinned by a knowledge that most people have the power within and the ability to solve their own problems.  I can help you find that power with a combination of listening and psycho education.

 

My therapy model is honest, focussed and healing.  It offers a safe place to talk about your deepest concerns in confidence, (with exceptions see confidentiality policy).  Counselling and psychotherapy can change the way you think, the way you see your difficulties and how you view the world.  It  can help you recover from trauma and can identify what triggers anxious thoughts and addictions.  It can assist you in recognising your triggers and the feelings associated with these triggers.

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How do I know if I need counselling?

 

Most people seek counselling when there is a mayor trauma, or life changing event such as divorce,  death, loss of job, serious medical diagnosis etc.  Many people feel flat, depressed or anxious and are too afraid to see their GP for the fear that they will have to take medication .  Counselling can help a difficult situation from getting worse, thus preventing medication, or it can offer another perspective on how and why the medication is needed.

 

You are your most valuable asset, please think about talking with me and see if it makes a difference.  I believe it will and I trust that after reading this you will know in your heart if you need support .   It doesn’t have to be me, but please seek support.  You are worth so much more than anxiety depression, guilt and emotional pain.

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How does counselling work?

 

You are unique and our relationship will be unique, and the answer will be found within you.

You will be asked to arrive 10 minutes early for your first session to fill out a short registration form and to read our confidentiality policy.  You will also be asked to sign an information consent form, this form is for this practice to hold information about you.  It is against professional practice not to get your consent in writing to keep your details.   Notes will be taken of your sessions, they are not detailed. They are safely stored and will be kept for 7 years.  Please feel free to talk with me about any concerns you have in this regard.

 

You may require just one session to “reframe or re think” your situation, or you may require more.   I will give you an honest treatment plan and I will take into account your ability to afford counselling and your working hours.  If you work away or FIFO then I can offer your Skype services.  I can support your partner and family while you are away if they are facing difficulties.

 

Counselling begins with a “crisis” session,  this is the time when you can just get it out, small or big concerns. I will use all my 40 years of practice and all my skills to offer you a support plan which may involve the following:

An assessment of your life style, covering sleep patterns, diet, exercise and friends and social activities.  All the while remembering that you are your greatest asset and you can live your life how you choose to live your life.  You will not get any judgments from me.

 

How you believe you cope with situations, and helping you see other ways of acceptance of who you are and validating how you do cope.

 

Looking back into the generations of behaviours passed down and possibly looking at how these behaviours have impacted on your fears and anxieties.

 

Some people are too afraid of beginning to talk because they think their issues are too great and worry can set in and so a negative cycle can begin.  Situations can occur or events can happen that are out of our control and we may feel unable to cope.  Some people find they are unable to resist the pressure put on them by others and have difficulty saying no.  Counselling can help by building self esteem, and tapping into the real person under all the fear and pressure.

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What is the difference between counselling and psychotherapy?

 

Counselling can help people cope with communication skills with others in our lives, it can build resilience and self esteem, self awareness and can guide you to learning how to relax or how to “step back” emotionally.  Counselling can teach a person new skills or bring out hidden qualities that have been suppressed over time.  Counselling can offer a safe place to express deep emotions and pain, such as found in grief counselling and bereavement and loss.

 

Psychotherapy is counselling at a much deeper level and it takes longer.  A significantly deep problem needs time because it has taken years to set in and affect a person. Psychotherapy revisits our family of origin and how we belong in the family system.  I do not have a magic wand, but I do have the skills to walk the journey with you, alongside you.

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How long is each session and how many times do I need to attend?

 

Length of sessions are usually 50 minutes with availability to extend to 60 minutes, additional time after that will be billed at the discretion of the counsellor.

What happens if I am unable to make my appointment?

 

I would hope I am respected enough for you to call and cancel the appointment, preferably the day before.  I will call you if you miss an appointment mainly because of concern for you and secondly it is at my discretion whether I charge a fee for the missed appointment.

What is grief and berievement?

 

Grief and berievement can be a result of many things including Menopause and major life adjustments, death, separation, immigration, ageing, disability, Abuse and Domestic Violence, Sexual Abuse, Childhood trauma, Financial abuse, Psychological abuse, Spiritual abuse or Physical abuse.

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