Counselling, Psychotherapy and CBT
Adlerian Counselling and Psychotherapy
I offer both short- and long-term counselling and psychotherapy, based on the psychology of Alfred Adler. Breaking with psychoanalysis, Adler developed a humanistic approach to psychotherapy, which embraces depth work (exploring unconscious processes and early experiences) and a practical understanding of wellbeing, based on encouragement and belonging. Adlerian psychology is aligned with existential as well as spiritual perspectives, and stands on the following key principles:
Interpersonal Belonging
Just as disconnection from the people who matter can discourage us and damage our self worth, orienting towards others and contributing to community and can help us find safety and belonging.
We Create Meaning
Changes in our lives can redefine what matters most to us, showing there are no absolute truths. Therapy can foster our creativity to question old views, find new significance, identity and fulfilment.
Purpose
Our emotional needs may be rooted in past experiences, yet our lives are in constant movement, in everything we do. In therapy we can connect to our deepest needs and desires, so to meet them in the way that works for us.
Choice
However difficult our circumstances, we likely have a degree of choice from which we can start to make a change. Therapy can help us reflect on what really counts, feel our inner strength, and take the first step.
Holism
The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Therapy can help us tune into the many layers of our embodied experience, linking with others and our environment, to find a home in this world.
Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy
Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a structured approach encompassing a variety of evidence-based methodologies for specific issues. CBT offers a pragmatic and focussed way of working with difficulties, and may encourage you to actively challenge your views, or experiment with trying new ways. CBT is usually time-limited, and may be particularly helpful with:
Fears, Phobias, Panic
Including Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Emetophobia, Agoraphobia
OCD
Anxieties triggering beliefs and rituals which limit our lives
Depression
Low mood impacting on the ability to function in the day-to-day
How My Process Works
Booking a Call
When thinking about starting therapy, it can be difficult to know what approach or how many sessions you may benefit from. A free 15-20 minute telephone call can give us a sense of whether we might be a good fit, and how therapy may help.
Booking an Initial Session
On a first session we can explore the issues you would like to work on and your expectations for therapy. By the end of this session, I will check with you if you would like to continue working with me, and when to review our work together.
Reviewing Ongoing Work
Whether our sessions are time-limited or open-ended , it is good to regularly review progress in therapy. I aim to work alongside you in deciding the duration of therapy, monitoring our process together and setting review dates collaboratively .
