Current Blogs
How long does counselling or psychotherapy go on for?
I have a brief answer to this question. In my experience about 75% of the clients I work with have between 5 and 15 sessions, on average. This can be regarded as short to medium term therapy. About 25% of the people I work with will have upwards of 20 sessions, sometimes working for over […]
The Process of Psychotherapy
I'm often asked how counselling and psychotherapy works. There are many ways in which it facilitates change, and it varies from person to person. But there's one things that nearly all clients I work with recognise as helpful. The increased understanding and awareness that results from therapy can give us choices about how we react, […]
It’s good to talk
Did you know that talking about problems is more acceptable now? A research project showed that 95% of respondents agreed that ‘it is a good idea to seek counselling or psychotherapy for a problem before it gets out of hand’ (BACP, 2013). As a counsellor I often hear clients say after a few sessions, “I […]
Finding a Counsellor
Finding the right counsellor or psychotherapist is about finding someone you feel you could work closely with in a trusting and professional relationship. The idea of disclosing our personal difficulties to someone we have never met inevitably raises some anxiety—perhaps the very thing we wish to be free of! We may feel that our problems […]
What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is fast becoming used in all kinds of ways to enhance mental, emotional and physical well-being. Mindfulness practice is an activity that can be done at home or in organised groups. It is informed by different theories, religions and philosophies. But what is it, exactly? It involves paying attention—as far as possible without judgement—to […]
Resistance
In times of turmoil or disquiet in our lives we often find ourselves resisting everything that we see as ‘trouble’. Dissatisfied with the past, we try to change it, becoming wary of a future that could repeat past mistakes. In the tangle of thoughts, feelings and negative urges, we try all kinds of ways of […]
What Keeps Us Well?
Wellbeing has seeped into public awareness, reflecting a more positive and useful way of thinking about our physical and mental health. Emerging from many research studies into wellbeing, seven ways (or ‘pillars’) of maintaining and improving our health are now widely agreed upon. They are: • Learning • Managing stress • Spirituality • Exercise • […]