Why counselling?
On the occasions where, for whatever reason, life feels challenging and difficulties can overwhelm us it can be helpful to speak with someone else about these feelings. Often people find that speaking with a professional counsellor who is separate from their network of family and friends can bring great relief.
You can expect not to be judged and to be treated with respect and empathy while being fully listened to. It is my responsibility to assist you in making sense of the difficulties, questions or challenges that exist for you and to allow you the opportunity to recognise what you require to be the person that you wish to be.
What to expect
You may find counselling challenging or emotional on occasions as you embark upon a journey of self discovery. I have an ethical responsibility, however, to ensure that my counselling practice enables you to have a safe space to explore your feelings and emotions and to express your innermost fears, concerns and issues.
Counselling is not a 'magic wand' and there are no guarantees of immediate success. Neither is counselling about me telling you what to do. With commitment from both client and counsellor, however, I believe that the opportunity exists for you to become more self-aware and to achieve a greater feeling of balance/calmness.
Issues I work with
I am experienced in helping clients who have experienced a range of difficulties including:
Abuse
Addiction
Anger management
Anxiety
Bereavement and loss
Childhood issues
Depression
Domestic violence
Family breakdown
Loneliness
Men's issues
Panic Attacks
Redundancy
Sexuality issues
Stress
Young people's issues
I also provide both professional and life coaching for individuals
Working with illness and bereavement
I have worked within the field of cancer (oncology) care and palliative care for many years and continue to provide counselling to individuals affected by serious illness and bereavement. I am employed as a counsellor supporting children and young people who have experienced traumatic bereavement's including suicide, murder and sudden and unexpected deaths.
I believe that each individual manages the impact of serious illness and bereavement differently and that a 'norm' does not exist. With the support of a counsellor an individual can make sense of their experience and their relationships and that this will be unique to each individual.