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Anxiety? Depression? Can counselling help? What is counselling and how does it work?

When you come for help you may be feeling lonely, confused or experiencing stress, inability to relax, insomnia, anxiety, loss of confidence or despair. You may even be having thoughts of ending your life. This is when counselling can really help. For counselling to work well you want to feel comfortable and safe with your therapist. My aim is to help you feel at ease and safe while we discuss your concerns . We can then talk through what you want from your counselling.

The first session is a chance for me to explain how I work and to answer any questions you may have. If you find the first session helpful we can, if you wish, arrange further sessions. I would usually recommend we meet on a weekly basis, at least for the first month. Sometimes one or two sessions is all you will need. For other clients, longer is helpful or even necessary. My sessions are led by you, the client. I bring my counselling skills and experience. This is your chance to gain confidence, rediscover peace of mind, take back control, reduce your suffering and work towards feeling happier and healthier and more hopeful.

Whatever the anxieties or problems you are dealing with, we can look at them together. This on its own can bring great relief very quickly. Then you can find a new and more balanced perspective and begin to plan for the future. Acceptance is one of the keys.

Counselling works by giving you a safe, confidential space to share your worries with a trained listener who can support you as you make sense of what is happening to you and find a way to move forward. 


Sometimes we feel guilt about things we have said or done in the past. It is really helpful to share these thoughts in strict confidence. Nothing you tell me will shock me or cause me to think less of you.

CarlRogers developed the theory of the person centered approach to therapy which involves finding out about who you are and accepting yourself as you are.

Some common issues which cause anxiety and depression and undermine confidence include;

constant or acute anxiety

constant worry

troubling thoughts

worry

depression

panic and panic disorder

chronic stress

worries about appearance or body-image

bereavement, grief and loss

suicidal thoughts and feelings

physical and psychological abuse

anxiety about relationships

social anxiety

divorce with its stress and sadness

domestic violence

physical and sexual abuse

sadness about childhood events

work related stress

studying, the stress of being a student

academic stress and anxiety

bullying and its effect on confidence

fears and phobias

insomnia and other sleep problems

anxiety about medical issues

anger management

psychosomatic illness

weight problems

smoking addiction

low self esteem

loss of confidence

mental stress or suffering of any kind

struggling with life,

feeling overwhelmed

Whatever is on your mind I can work on it with you. I am confident that therapy will bring you relief.

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