How I work
After we have had a short chat on the phone I agree an appointment time for us to meet in which you can talk more openly in a safe and comfortable place about what has brought you to therapy and what you want to change in your life.Don’t worry if you are not too clear about this initially, talking about how you feel and think will often give you more clarity about what you want to achieve. During this session, if you feel comfortable, we will agree to a further 6 sessions, or if you are not sure, maybe you would like to have a look at a few other therapists before you decide. I am always happy to refer.
Each session will last for about 50 minutes and will cost £40.
Generally sessions should feel intriguing, although they may be distressing, up and down and fraught with resistance. You will find yourself engaged in a curiosity about what you think, feel and behave like within your relationships, and how various aspects of your life appear to be connected in a way which was not clear to you before.
It is important for you to take an active role and be open to your reactions with me, both thoughts and feelings, as we explore. It is my job to help you learn this active role.
Just like any relationship it takes time to build up trust and begin to feel safe enough to open up. These first sessions will go a long way towards this and will give you a good sense as to what a session feels like and how it is different from any other conversational experience.
Counselling and psychotherapy promotes personal insight and change. It is unique to the individual. Insight occurs through the dialog we have together over time.
As therapy is so personal to you it is hard to say at the outset how many sessions it will last for. One persons symptom, that may be understood and overcome with new decisions of thoughts, feelings and behaviours, may be another persons resistence which acts to cover up the real issues until challenged and faced in the context of the therapeutic relationship.
You will know and feel insight as you begin to feel and think more clearly. You may feel lighter and more optimistic. People often feel more energised and motivated.
Professional counsellor, based in Hale and Macclesfield
offering counselling and psychotherapy services in South Manchester
covering the Wilmslow, Altrincham and Cheshire areas
