Psychotherapists and Counsellors Answer your Questions

Being a real person who listens to you and responds to you as a real person. TRTP DBT Jungian Psychotherapy mindfulness dreams and sand

Being a real person who listens to you and responds to you as a real person. TRTP DBT Jungian Psychotherapy mindfulness dreams and sand

Narrative therapy, person-centered theory.

Narrative therapy, person-centered theory.

My first aim is to connect with a person and get to know who they are - this informs so much about what approach is most likely to be useful to them. There is no one size fits all. Much of my...

My first aim is to connect with a person and get to know who they are - this informs so much about what approach is most likely to be useful to them. There is no one size fits all. Much of my method is based in psychodynamic therapy, with many other tools from areas like cognitive-behavioural therapy, schema therapy, narrative therapy, systems theory, mindfulness and more. I prefer to choose what is most suited to a person and the situation than to stick to a rigid structure.

Generally guided by my philosophy I want to create a positive space for the individual to explore and understand what they need to. I am first and foremost respectful that this is the life and choice...

Generally guided by my philosophy I want to create a positive space for the individual to explore and understand what they need to. I am first and foremost respectful that this is the life and choice of the client. To the extent that I use “techniques” these are designed to simply assist in the natural growth of the person. So in session there may well be questions (sometime “Socratic questions”), invitations to explore, silence, metaphor, exercizes and discussion.

My methods focus on the efficient and proper use of the micro skills of counselling for eliciting change. I do like to focus on the here and now in experience in the therapy.

My methods focus on the efficient and proper use of the micro skills of counselling for eliciting change. I do like to focus on the here and now in experience in the therapy.

I work with people in an individual way and tailor my approach to the needs of the person, but these approaches inform much of my work: Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness based...

I work with people in an individual way and tailor my approach to the needs of the person, but these approaches inform much of my work: Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness based therapy, Hakomi somatic psychotherapy, Solutions focussed therapy. To get an understanding of what these therapies are like, questions 2 and 3 give a sense of my approach to therapy.

Regardless of whichever theoretical method or approach I might select to apply or use in my work with a client, I endeavour always to function from a position of 'being centred' within my own self. It...

Regardless of whichever theoretical method or approach I might select to apply or use in my work with a client, I endeavour always to function from a position of 'being centred' within my own self. It is important to how I work that I am able to 'be' first and foremost with another rather than 'do' something to or with the person. Hence, my clinical practice of 20+ years has been called, 'Being Centred'. My capacity to 'be with' others in the therapeutic setting effectively has grown and developed over the years. In an operational sense I do think developmentally, systemically and psycho-dynamically when working with clients to explore their presenting concerns and issues. I believe the experiences within my own family-of-origin particularly with regards to my sister's intellectual disability and the various associated dynamics arising within the family system, influenced me greatly in naturally developing a heightened availability to readily attune to unconscious emotionality within those around me. This has been a useful skill as a therapist. Similarly, I have always resonated with existential thought processes and so it's not surprising I've ended up specialising in working in the field of psycho-oncology and palliative care. I regard reflection as an essential technique/method for me to work therapeutically. I have continuously incorporated frequent professional reflective practice in the form of regular clinical supervision - both individual and group supervision. I also actively personally reflect on a routinely daily basis with various meditation practices.

I'm very good at actively listening, this means listening to what's really being said and not what you actually have said. All therapists use head nods, mirroring, empathy and validation, but what...

I'm very good at actively listening, this means listening to what's really being said and not what you actually have said. All therapists use head nods, mirroring, empathy and validation, but what does this truly mean? To me, its when I know the other person is truly listening to me, not judging me and really does care about my welfare.

I combine Internal Family Systems Therapy and Person-centered therapy. I am nearly an IFS purist as I have trained in a dozen models and I have found that IFS is by far the most effective and...

I combine Internal Family Systems Therapy and Person-centered therapy. I am nearly an IFS purist as I have trained in a dozen models and I have found that IFS is by far the most effective and transformational. If you have skeptical parts I welcome them, I suggest going to youtube and watching an IFS session in action or directly experiencing one with me.

Psychodynamic psychotherapy Jungian dream analysis Creative arts therapy Common sense

Psychodynamic psychotherapy Jungian dream analysis Creative arts therapy Common sense

My practice is eclectic and I use a wide range of therapy approaches. I encourage my clients to practice Self-Acceptance, Self-Compassion, Mindfulness, this helps to overcome unhelpful thinking...

My practice is eclectic and I use a wide range of therapy approaches. I encourage my clients to practice Self-Acceptance, Self-Compassion, Mindfulness, this helps to overcome unhelpful thinking patterns and the natural rigidity that follows. My preferred approaches are Person-Centred, Solution Focused and Acceptance and Commitment. I'm aware that every client is unique and has different needs, so, while these are my preferred approaches, I switch to other tools tailoring the therapy to the client needs.

My training and experience is in a variety of counselling approaches/methods which I tailor to suit individual needs. The tailoring of the therapeutic work is a collaborative process between the...

My training and experience is in a variety of counselling approaches/methods which I tailor to suit individual needs. The tailoring of the therapeutic work is a collaborative process between the client, their circumstances and myself as the counsellor/psychotherapist. How we are working together is reviewed as part of the therapeutic process.

The methods I use are all proven therapies gained in my study followed by my ongoing studies of more recent methods such as: Mindfulness Narrative Therapy Solution Focused Therapy Acceptance...

The methods I use are all proven therapies gained in my study followed by my ongoing studies of more recent methods such as: Mindfulness Narrative Therapy Solution Focused Therapy Acceptance Commitment Therapy Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

This entirely depends on the client/s. My overarching method is psychodynamic therapy, client-led, active listening and assessment. From what I discover about the person/s and their presenting issues,...

This entirely depends on the client/s. My overarching method is psychodynamic therapy, client-led, active listening and assessment. From what I discover about the person/s and their presenting issues, I can then provide a range of approach options from my unique background.

I use an integrated approach because no person is the same as the next. I base my approach on the client and their needs. The most common is CBT and MiCBT.

I use an integrated approach because no person is the same as the next. I base my approach on the client and their needs. The most common is CBT and MiCBT.