Making the decision to work with a counsellor/ psychotherapist can be daunting. After all at the beginning you are sharing your private thoughts, feelings and beliefs with a stranger.
You might have lots of questions about how it’s supposed to be, what you will talk about, what happens in the session.
For this reason I offer an initial
free session of therapy in Reading and London for my clients to experience what it feels like to ‘see’ a counsellor/ therapist.
It’s also an opportunity for you to explore any questions or worries you might have about working with me.
How I work with each client depends on the type of person you are, what you’re bringing and the unique relationship that evolves between us. A typical session might involve visualisation techniques, bodywork, 'empty chair' (Gestalt) work, art therapy and play therapy as well as the more familiar ‘talking’ therapy, depending on what feels right for you.
My experience
I have worked with people facing difficult circumstances (including family breakdown, trauma, bereavement, chronic and terminal illness such as HIV/AIDS, homelessness, drug and alcohol addiction, abuse and discrimination, dealing with war and crime, as well as a wide range of relationship, work, and personal difficulties) for over ten years, in social care, development and human rights organisations in this country and overseas.
I now specialise in working therapeutically with people desiring to make changes and transform their lives.
The work I do with clients is not restricted to a particular issue. You don't come to see me to work for example with an addiction, and look only at being an addict. You are not a label or a symptom, and I don't work that way. I find that most of the work I do with clients is about strengthening your sense of self, and understanding and giving meaning to your life.
I have worked with a range of referrals however, and some of the "issues" include-
Depression - Anxiety & Stress - Self-esteem - Employment - Relationships - Anger - Crime - Guilt - Family Separation - Parenting - Adoption - Identity - Bereavement & Loss - Eating disorders - Addictions - Childhood Trauma & Abuse - Illness - Sexual issues - Prostitution - Infertility - Bullying & Discrimination - Divorce & Separation - Self-Harm - Suicidal Feelings - Loss of meaning
I work with individuals, couples and groups; and with children and families in a private location near Reading town centre, and in Paddington in Central London.
I also offer phone counselling and on-line counselling/ psychotherapy for clients who don’t wish to work face-to-face.
My orientation
I believe that a therapeutic relationship, like any relationship has its own unfolding and a rigid single-approach cannot do justice to the rich colours and shades of each person. My training in transpersonal counselling and psychotherapy (BACP and UKCP accredited) equips me to work integratively using a number of different psychotherapeutic methods.
