Counselling

Solution Focused Therapy (SFT) is designed to help clients identify their strengths and develop practical solutions to their challenges. It is future-oriented and outcome driven and a great fit for people who would prefer a more expedient approach to their therapy. It doesn’t focus on the past, instead, it harnesses its power from tuning into the intuition of the client, focussing in on the change they desire. SFT essentially builds upon on what’s working well whilst mitigating what’s not. This form of therapy sets goals that move clients forward toward their preferred future in a highly productive way. By focusing on the client’s strengths and resources, SFT helps create positive momentum and assists in making tangible progress towards a client’s goals, fostering personal empowerment, greater clarity, confidence, resilience and fulfilment in life.

Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) is really centred around inviting the client to form a strong connection with the present moment to help overcome the dysfunctional thoughts, beliefs and behaviours that disconnect them from being truly present. When we associate ourselves solely with our thoughts, beliefs and behaviours to the extent that we lose touch with our essential self/presence, we begin to attach ourselves to a distorted reality that constantly bombards us with anxious thoughts, limiting beliefs and self-sabotage. ACT seeks to help clients create psychological flexibility, to accept what they cannot influence and to create meaningful change where they can. ACT helps clients step back from their thought processes and simply observe them as they learn new skills to focus their attention on what matters most, whilst reorienting their relationship with their difficult thoughts, beliefs, and emotions, living in alignment with their values and authentic self.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a form of therapy that places significant emphasis on how a person’s thoughts, emotions, physical reactions, and behaviour all interact with the environment around them. It presupposes that all of these factors are interconnected and draws upon all of them in creating a highly personalised and effective therapeutic treatment plan for change. CBT seeks to help the client develop effective coping strategies whilst changing negative thought patterns & behaviours. Through a collaborative process, the client is encouraged to develop the skills and tools necessary to overcome their challenges and achieve their goals, gaining insight into their motivations and strengths, whilst beginning to cultivate positive habits and thought patterns that will support them in moving toward their preferred future.

Expressive therapies are a form of holistic counselling that draw upon the creative arts utilising a variety of modalities such as; painting, drawing, creating/colouring mandalas, music, movement, working with clay, art journaling, collage, writing, sand tray work, drama therapy, role play, theatre techniques. Clients are not required to have any previous artistic experience. This process is referred to as “low skill, high sensitivity” in its approach. The goal of expressive therapy is to help clients explore and express their emotions and experiences in a safe and non-judgmental environment, using art as a medium to connect with their inner world and create a physical representation of their dilemma or their learnings for the outer world. Expressive therapy can be used in individual, group, or family settings. Through creative exploration and expression, clients can gain new insights into their emotional experiences and gain a greater sense of agency and empowerment in their lives. All of these processes and more can help clients to explore and express their emotions in a nonverbal way, and gain new insights into their inner life when words are not enough.

Holistic Counselling incorporates an expanded range of modalities I draw on including talk therapy, mindfulness techniques, expressive therapies, and meditation to help clients connect with their inner wisdom and resources, and to gain insight into their thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. Holistic counselling recognizes the importance of physical health and lifestyle choices, and I work with clients to identify areas where changes could be made to support their emotional and mental health. I may offer suggestions on self-care practices that can help clients feel more balanced and energized. One of the main benefits of holistic counselling is that it supports clients in developing a deeper understanding of themselves and their experiences. It encourages a sense of personal responsibility and empowerment, and helps clients to identify and utilize their strengths to overcome challenges. Overall, holistic counselling offers a unique and personalised approach to therapy that recognises the interconnectedness of all aspects of life. It empowers clients to take an active role in their own well-being and provides a safe and supportive space for exploration and growth.

The focus of transpersonal counselling centres around helping the client integrate their spiritual experiences into their daily life and to find meaning and purpose amidst their challenges and struggles. Transpersonal counselling offers clients a spiritually-informed approach to therapy that draws its strength from the spiritual and transcendent aspects of the human experience. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of the body, mind, and spirit, and seeks to promote balance, contentment and awe in the client’s life. It is introspective and contemplative in its approach yet exceedingly practical. The transpersonal counselling process utilises meditation practice, integral life practices, visualisations, mask work, spiritual mapping, artistic expression, journaling, nature, active imagination and many more interventions to help contemplate life’s challenges as well as the great existential questions and mysteries we catch glimpses of during our journey on this earth. Transpersonal counselling seeks to help clients explore their connection to that “something more” as they seek meaning and purpose for their lives.

Our personal mythology are made up of the stories that we tell ourselves about who we really are & how we fit into the world. Through the holistic counselling process, clients may explore and revise their personal mythology to create a more empowering narrative for their lives. By exploring and understanding our personal myths we can gain insight into our thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. In my counselling practice, I use the modality of Personal Mythology to help clients explore and understand the stories and beliefs that shape their lives through visualisations, journaling, creative writing and artistic expression. Our personal myths are the stories we tell ourselves about who we really are and what our lives mean. Cultural myths and archetypes shape our personal myths as well. Through our work together, we examine the power of narrative, the role of culture, symbols & imagery, the power of ritual, and the importance of the unconscious. By exploring these elements, clients can gain insight into their personal myths and create new narratives that better serve their lives. Once we uncover the defining stories of our past, we are then free to rewrite & change them, creating something new and life-giving.

The Hero's/Heroine’s Journey is a universal narrative structure that describes the typical path that heroes take in stories and myths. It was first identified by Joseph Campbell, a famous mythologist, who observed that many of the world's ancient myths and legends followed a similar pattern. The Hero's Journey consists of several stages, including the call to adventure, crossing the threshold, facing challenges and obstacles, slaying dragons, meeting mentors and allies, facing the ultimate test or ordeal, and finally, returning home as a transformed person. It an invaluable coaching framework for helping clients navigate major life changes and transitions. Drawing upon the different stages of the journey, I support my clients in identifying their goals, overcoming obstacles, and ultimately moving toward their desired outcome. I help them integrate their experiences and insights into their daily lives. Overall, the Hero's Journey can be a powerful tool to help clients achieve their goals and navigate major life transitions.

The unique blend of holistic counselling I offer draws upon an eclectic array of ancient wisdom and modern contemplative practices. My approach is founded in the Jungian/Christian Mystic tradition yet I am very comfortable working with people from different faiths and spiritual perspectives. My goal is to create a safe and supportive space for the directee to explore their own spiritual journey. I strive to be empathetic and supportive, creating an environment where the client feels free to share their deepest questions, concerns, and aspirations. Themes that clients may see me for include; deepening their spiritual practice and relationship with the Divine, career exploration, existential crisis, midlife unravellings, contemplating the meaning and purpose of life, coping with life transitions and challenges, cultivating compassion, finding solace & hope in the face of grief and loss, as well as working through spiritual crises & doubts and more. Drawing on the rich tradition of Jung and the mystics, I offer a variety of tools and practices to help you go deeper into your own spiritual journey, & supporting you as you discern the path you are called to journey.