There is much similarity between psychotherapy and counselling in that one person is helping another, or a couple, usually primarily through conversation, in which the focus is human experience, difficulties and struggle with the aim being to gain greater insight and effect some positive and creative change.
I view counselling work as more focussed, shorter term with specific issues to address.
Psychotherapeutic work often involves a deeper level of engagement and more exploration of difficult experiences and emotions.
How can counselling and psychotherapy help?
At times of difficulty it can be helpful to explore concerns with a trained practitioner and consider possible solutions in a safe and confidential setting.
The focus of therapeutic work is centred in your experience, helping you to clarify the issues which are troubling you, your thoughts and feelings and enabling you to find solutions.
This work can provide a way forward and help at times of crisis when difficulties can be extreme such as depression and anxiety.
It can also be helpful when there is a lack of enjoyment of life or recurring difficulties in relationship.
Therapy can also bring a greater awareness of choice, autonomy and experience of actively engaging in a process which can be empowering and a time of discovery.
Concerns and difficulties which may be addressed in therapeutic work
These are many and varied and include:
- the need for a space to reflect on life overall
- dealing with loss and bereavement
- depression
- anxiety
- obsessional thinking and behavioural patterns
- dealing with abuse
- difficulties with anger
- low self-esteem
- panic attacks
- sexual concerns
Work with couples
Couples therapy is for those who may want to examine and resolve issues in their intimate relationship such as:
- dealing with conflict
- exploring sexual concerns
- parenting children.
I can help you identify communication difficulties, where you get stuck and help you to make changes and agreements.
How I work
My initial training was in the gestalt approach which is in itself an integrating framework and since then I have undertaken further professional development and integrated many other theoretical perspectives into my practice including psychoanalytic theory and CBT which can be particularly helpful in understanding and making changes in relation to thoughts, beliefs, feelings and behaviours.
More important than theory and central in this work is the relationship which develops between therapist and you the client and how this can aid understanding and help facilitate changes which you wish to make.
Practical matters
Confidentiality: Therapeutic sessions are confidential apart from matters concerning safety and professional requirements. In order to maintain and develop my practice I receive on-going supervision in which I discuss my work whilst not divulging identity.
I prefer to discuss fees with you at the time of initial contact, these will depend on your circumstances. I do have a number of concessionary rate appointment sessions available. There is usually a waiting list, please do contact me about this.
The sessions are 50 minutes and usually I arrange a regular meeting time once or twice each week following an assessment session which is charged at the usual rate.
Location
I have a consulting room at 1 Fairbridge Rd., London N19 3EW, and I also work at the Gestalt Centre London, 15-23 St Pancras Way, London NW1 0PT
Be
As you are
And so see
Who you are
And how you areLet go
For a moment or two
Of what you ought to do
And discover what you do doRisk a little if you can
Feel your own feelings
Say your own words
Think your own thoughts
Be your own selfDiscover
Let the plan for you
Grow from within youFrom S. Herman and M Korenich