Many people face difficulties and challenges. Perhaps you feel anxious or depressed, and feel you are unable to deal with changes in your life, such as losing a job, or a difficult relationship. You may be struggling with self-critical thoughts or difficult memories from the past, which cause emotional and psychological pain. Perhaps you are finding it hard to stop behaving in ways that are harming you and/or your relationships with others. You may feel that you sabotage positive relationships in your life and feel you don’t deserve to be happy.
Like many people, you may also feel that you have to cope alone and don’t have anyone to share your pain with as you feel those around you don’t really understand. Counselling however can provide a safe place to talk and explore feelings, emotions and experiences without judgement and support you in restoring your sense of well being.
As we both listen and pay attention to your experience, you may develop awareness and an understanding that past experiences may be influencing how you feel and behave in the present. You may find that your feelings and emotions naturally start to change and that old patterns of behaviour gradually drop away to be replaced by more positive ways of relating to yourself and other people. You may also find that you have a more positive experience of who you really are and greater confidence, self-worth, self-belief and self-esteem.
Taking the first step to counselling can feel scary; however, it can also be empowering and the first step in acknowledging your own self-worth. Each client’s process is unique and for me the most important thing is to be non-judgemental, empathic and honest with each individual.