Why have therapy?
Most of us reach a point at some time in our lives when things feel too difficult to manage alone. That might be a specific event, a bereavement, a relationship breakdown, a period of intense stress, or something more gradual: a slow build-up of difficult feelings, a sense of being stuck, or a quiet awareness that something isn't quite right and you're not sure what.
Counselling offers a confidential space to slow down, make sense of what's happening, and start to find a way through. You don't need to arrive with a clear sense of what the problem is. Many people come to therapy without being able to name exactly what's wrong, and that's fine. Part of the work is figuring that out together.
What happens in a session?
Sessions last 50 minutes. You'll be invited to talk about whatever feels most relevant, whether that's something from the past, a current situation, a pattern you keep noticing, or a feeling you can't quite name. There's no script. At the start of our work together we'll talk about what you're hoping to get from therapy, which gives us both a useful reference point as we go.
From time to time I might suggest a practical exercise, such as working with a journal or photographs, but nothing is obligatory. Where it feels helpful I'll also share information or techniques to help manage difficult feelings between sessions.
Short-Term or Long-Term?
Some people benefit from a focused piece of short-term work. Others find that longer-term therapy allows for deeper exploration and more lasting change. We'll discuss what feels right for you and can revisit that as we go. You also don't need to be in crisis to benefit from therapy. Some of the most valuable work happens when someone is functioning reasonably well but knows something could be better.
If you'd like to find out more or arrange an initial consultation, please feel free to get in touch.
