What is Counselling?

Counselling is an opportunity to talk openly and honestly in a neutral, confidential and contained environment.  It is different from the sort of conversations which may be had with friends as the therapist will not give advice, and has no contact with the client between sessions.

 

What is the difference between Counselling and Psychotherapy?

There is no specific difference between counselling and psychotherapy, although it is generally considered that counselling tends to be shorter-term and deals with a specific problem, while as psychotherapy tends to take longer and deals with issues and behaviours which may, perhaps, have roots further in the past.

 

How long does it take?

Therapy can last for a few weeks, or for several years.  The exact length of time that the therapy lasts is, however, led by the client and regular reviews can be helpful to ascertain whether things are progressing as the client expected.  Sessions usually take place on a weekly basis, and last for approximately 50 minutes.

 

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Hypnotherapy

 

Whilst I am, first and foremost, a psychotherapist, I am very aware of the multi-faceted, multi-layered nature of the issues we face.  Sometimes a certain problem, feeling or behaviour can best be dealt with by exploring the thought patterns and beliefs that we hold sub-consciously.

 

Hypnotherapy is widely recognised as being an extremely effective method of changing unwanted behaviours by imparting some positive suggestions into the sub-conscious mind.

 

A hypnotic trance is a perfectly natural and easily achievable state.  The process simply involves becoming deeply relaxed and, whilst in this state, encouraging the sub-conscious mind to adopt a more positive way of dealing with whatever challenge or problem is being faced.

 

 

 

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a technique that has been shown to stimulate the brain to ‘re-digest’ difficult or disturbing memories, so that it can ‘file’ the thoughts away, and hence reduce the associated distress.  The technique was discovered by Francine Shapiro in the 1980s, and I am fortunate to have been taught the skill by Sandi Richman, who was herself taught directly by Shapiro.

 

Whilst no one definitively knows how exactly EMDR works, it is thought that it creates a similar response as the stage of Rapid Eye Movement (REM) when we sleep.  It is during this time that the brain processes and stores a lot of the information it has received during the day, but if an individual has experienced something traumatic or overwhelming, this process can become disrupted and overloaded.  In such circumstances, the difficult memory seems to remain frozen and unprocessed, and is often re-stimulated - together with the associated overwhelming feelings.  EMDR helps to create connections in the memory networks, thus enabling the brain to process the memory in a more normal way.

 

EMDR is well known to be hugely valuable in the treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), but it has also been shown, time and time again, to dramatically decrease the stress and discomfort caused by depression, anxiety, phobias, unwanted thoughts and memories, and even compulsive behaviours such as eating disorders and OCD.

 

I am a passionate believer in the effectiveness of EMDR, which is totally safe and non-evasive - the client is awake and in control at all times.  I have experienced first-hand the extraordinary effectiveness of this very simple technique, and am currently undergoing further advanced training in order to become fully accredited in its delivery.