Counselling
Commit to the process
Focus on demystifying distress or issues
Counselling focuses on identifying and discussing any disturbances, distress or issues that may be preoccupying you, in order to understand their true nature. Rather than giving advice or providing solutions, it does this by allowing people to explore and decide what is best for them. To be most effective, this engagement requires a safe and supportive environment and a relationship of trust, confidence, respect and acceptance without judgement. Clients also need to commit to the process for the best gains.
I offer general counselling with a focus on how interactions between people and animals influence their health and wellbeing. There is a growing understanding across research, professionals and the community that Human-Animal Interactions (HAI) are extensive, pervasive and consequential for how people live their lives. Sometimes discussing life issues and whether such interactions have a part to play in both the challenges people face and how to reconcile them, can be of great benefit.
Effective techniques
There are many and varied schools of thought in counselling and therapeutic approaches to life issues, and we would explore these in our sessions for best gains. Some particular approaches mentioned below I have found to be very helpful and conceptually accessible for most clients.
Human beings are born storytellers and visualisers, so narrative therapy, art and drawing, and journaling are effective techniques for drawing out and articulating your unique and complex life path. Thinking and feeling are central to understanding yourself, and the reflective strategies of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, DBT, Social Learning Theory and Life Stages are excellent tools to assist you. While we strive to progress and grow across our lives, visiting early history can help with understanding your present circumstances, as can insights about your personality and attachment style. At all times we need to be sensitive to any triggers in a trauma-informed context.
From a background in martial arts and meditation I also promote the benefits of mindfulness, relaxation and stress management. I can share techniques to manage the calm in the chaos we experience all too often in our demanding and complex lives. As the ancient Greek Stoics would say, stillness really is the key. To that I’d add the healing power of laughter and humour from the ancient insights of Zen and Buddhism.
The process
My clients encompass individuals, couples, families, children and young persons of all ages and abilities.
Following your enquiries we would then progress to an initial, face to face consultation to explore your issues and support needs, then an agreement about sessions and how they will be conducted (in person, online or remotely, walk and talk, home visiting).
Contact is regularly reviewed with you as to benefits, direction and further support needs.
Issues addressed
The following list of presenting issues, while not exhaustive, might help clarify for you what supports I can provide, including:
- grief and loss
- health and wellbeing
- anxieties and phobias
- relationships and companionship
- domestic and family violence
- child protection
- trauma and recovery
- disability related supports
- practice assistance
- emotional support in difficult times
- managing daily living and challenges.