How we work together
For our work together to be as effective as possible for creating the change you desire, our collective approach needs to be:
Curiosity
With a childlike curiosity we will explore your behaviours, emotions, physical sensations and thoughts. We leave no stone unturned in the pursuit of increasing your self-awareness.
Challenge
I consider myself to be a high challenge and high support therapist. I will tailor this to your needs so you feel comfortable with me but challenge will help you move forwards. Therefore, it is important you also come ready to challenge yourself/yourselves and open to receiving my challenge. My challenge will always be delivered kindly and respectfully.
Committed
I am always 100% committed to helping you understand yourself and create change. The more committed you are to yourself, each other and your counselling work, the more effective it will be. Some of my interventions require you to do homework in between sessions - without this progress may stall or be frustratingly slow for you.
Courageous
Therapy is demanding. Baring your soul to a stranger (initially) and probing into layers of hurt and resentment can feel extremely vulnerable and unsettling. I always try to pace the work to minimise distress but the process can often reveal awareness that is uncomfortable for a while.
Candid
There are often parts of ourselves or things we have done in the past that we are ashamed of and prefer to keep hidden. As you progress through therapy, you will hopefully feel increasingly comfortable with being transparent. I don’t need to know everything but if its relevant to what you want support with, it will help to share it. In turn, I will always be honest with you if something is not feeling quite right or I make a mistake.
Congenial
To balance the challenge, need for courage and candour, we remember our humanity, kindness, humour and generosity. There will be times when we soften the mood for some relief or, where there is conflict, we all focus on kindness to guide our interactions.