My Approach
Remember, your counsellor is like a football coach: there to help you figure out the game plan but not there to do it for you. All counselling is extremely confidential: your family, friends and colleagues will not know you are going to a counsellor unless you tell them.
There are many different counselling 'methods', developed over the years by some of the great names like Freud, Perls, Rogers and Berne. Their theories vary greatly in how the client is approached and what happens in the counselling sessions.
I work in a humanistic way with clients, and generally after the style of Carl Rogers.
Rogers developed a non-directive approach to counselling, based on the belief that clients needed more control over the therapeutic process than they had been given in traditional therapy.
My belief is that you, the client, have the capacity to manage the direction and pace of your own therapy.
Rogers based his theory on the fundamentals of the following core conditions:
Empathy
The ability to appreciate the client's personal meanings, and to accompany the client as they progress through therapy. The awareness that every person is a unique human being.
Unconditional Positive Regard
This is genuine regard with no strings attached. It is a demonstration of sheer trust, and allows clients to have a space to talk about things that are difficult for them.
Warmth
This is non-stifling warmth given genuinely for the needs of the client. You may like to use the words genuinely friendly, non-threatening and definitely non-judgmental.
Genuineness
The counsellor is freely and deeply themselves, and can relate to their clients in a sincere relaxed, and non-confrontational manner.
I like to talk about attitudes and behaviours, and I want to create a growth-promoting climate for you. I reject the pursuit of authority or control over others. I believe that you are capable of directing your own destiny, and of becoming more your true self.
I will try to stay with you in the here and now, so that you can look at your life and answer the questions "Who am I ?" and "How can I become more myself ?".
Rogers believed that if the core conditions are present then growth and change could take place. Within the therapeutic relationship clients may feel safe enough to explore problems and gradually come to experience the parts of themselves that previously they keep hidden.
I adhere to the Code of Ethics of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.
I have Public Liability Insurance.
Many people are anxious about seeing a counsellor. This is natural because we like to feel we are in control of our lives. We are also anxious about sharing our secrets, fears and concerns with someone outside the family.