Counselling
Why counselling and how does it work?
Counselling works by providing a supportive, non-judgemental space in which you can explore thoughts, feelings and behaviours and learn more about yourself. I won't give advice but will 'walk alongside' you, reflecting back what I have heard, sometimes asking questions and helping you to find your own solutions. I will go at your pace and focus on what you want to work on. Counselling works best when a helping relationship is formed in which you feel safe to open up and share and reflect on what you are experiencing or have experienced. I will seek to provide that for you.
Neurodivergence
Bereavement and loss
Bereavement and loss can bring up many difficult feelings such as sadness, loneliness, guilt and anxiety. Whilst grief is a natural response to loss, we can sometimes find we feel stuck or overwhelmed and that we need some extra support to process these emotions and find a way forward. This is especially true if our loss is sudden or unexpected or we are feeling isolated and unsupported.
I have experience of working with those who have suffered bereavement and those who want to process other losses such as losing a job or a relationship. It can help to talk to someone who can listen empathically and allow you the space that you need to process the loss.
Trauma
I am a trauma-informed practitioner which means that I have received training in working with those who have suffered trauma. Trauma can be an unexpected event such as an accident or an assault. We can feel shocked and distressed and 'we may feel as if our world has been turned upside down' (BACP). Or trauma can be as a result of more prolonged abuse over many years.
I have experience of helping those who have suffered a trauma in their lives in which recovery from trauma has been delayed. I can help you to process this trauma in a safe and supportive manner. This involves establishing a safe supportive space and having some tools to ground yourself before talking about more difficult areas.
In all therapy the relationship is key and it is important that you feel safe and can work at your own pace. I will support you with this.
Neurodivergence
I have experience, both professionally and personally within my family, of neurodivergence. You may be wondering if you have a neurodivergence and whether you would like to seek a diagnosis. As a counsellor, I am not qualified to diagnose but I can help support you in exploring how you are feeling. Or you may already have a diagnosis and are now left with difficult feelings around past experiences. I can help you to explore these feelings and hopefully come to terms with this new understanding of your differences, difficulties and strengths.
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