What is counselling?
Counselling is a form of talking therapy that normally takes place once a week for 50 minutes. Counselling enables a person to explore their own feelings and problems in a confidential, safe, non-judgemental space. A counsellor is trained to listen with empathy in order to help you make sense of issues that are causing you emotional pain or discomfort. The counsellor's role is to provide you with a supportive and respectful environment. You are the expert of your own life and counsellors do not give advice but aid you in paving your own resolutions and insights in your journey of effective change and understanding.
Why come to counselling? People often pursue individual counselling in order to make sense or come to terms with issues that are causing them discomfort or emotional pain. Couples may seek counselling in order to recognise the conflicts that exist within their relationship and make an informed and heart-felt decision to rebuild one's relationship or go one's separate way. |
Psychodynamic Approach |
Psychodynamic counselling is influenced by Freud and psychoanalysis. The psychodynamic approach focuses on gaining insight into our past and how it has influenced our way of being in the present. The therapeutic relationship is based on empathy, acceptance and trust in which the counsellor and client discuss the client's inner world and considers its varying factors such as the client's past, familial and social backgrounds.
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Person-Centred Approach |
The person-centred approach is influenced by Carl Rogers who argued that all individuals are driven by an innate tendency to achieve our full potential. However, as humans, we often try to fit in in order to gain the approval of others even if it means denying what feels true to us. Person-centred counselling is based on the foundation of embracing the diversity and uniqueness of each individual through empathy, transparency and non-judgemental acceptance. The belief is that in time, and through the uniqueness of the therapeutic relationship, the client will embrace and seek pleasure in their innate tendency to be fully themselves.
MY APPROACH As someone who is a passionate believer in the power of human connection, I practice under the notion that the relationship between counsellor and client is the most profound healing mechanism within the therapeutic relationship. You are the expert of your own experiences and together we create a supportive atmosphere in which we explore and make meaning of your own subjective life experiences in the effort to bring about an effective transformation. |