Counselling
Counselling is Talk Therapy that helps people resolve issues in a safe, supportive, and confidential setting. It is generally short term and goal oriented. It involves identifying options, learning new skills to cope better with problems, gaining clarity, or being supported while recovering from a significant life event.
On the other hand, Psychotherapy is a type of Talk Therapy that focuses on deepening understanding of how past experiences affect us in the present, and developing insight into unconscious motivations. It is usually longer term (e.g. more than 10 sessions) and oriented toward personal growth and development.
Whether for a shorter or longer-term, I use a client-centred approach drawing on humanistic, existential, and psychodynamic traditions, as well as applying a cognitive behavioural approach to facilitate change.
Counselling Approaches I Use
Counselling and Psychotherapy are broad fields with diverse treatment methods. As an Integrative Therapist, I am trained in a range of techniques, and use those most appropriate to the client's needs.
While the training and use of these is complex, I have listed some brief points to give you an idea of how we might work together. Some specific counselling techniques I use for shorter term therapy are:
Existential Therapy
Identify a deeper sense of meaning and purpose to life, learn to live in a more personally fulfilling and authentic way.
Narrative Therapy
Explore personal experiences and beliefs that powerfully influence you, and create more meaningful narratives by which you would like to live.
Experiential Therapy:
Various experiential techniques employed to explore, transform and manage your emotional experiences.
Solution Focused Therapy:
Work collaboratively to implement positive changes by building on your resources and strengths.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy:
Increase awareness and control over thought patterns, learn coping strategies, such as relaxation techniques, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Motivational Interviewing:
Help you explore and resolve uncertainty, and achieve changes you want to make in your life, e.g. overcoming habits or addictions.