Counselling

Counselling provides a safe and supportive environment in which to explore the feelings and emotions you have about your past and present life experiences. Our work together will hopefully enable you to let go of those things which you no longer find useful.

Some of the reasons people may commence counselling include relationship difficulties, bereavement, unexpected life changes, unresolved trauma from your past or you may have another reason. You may choose to come individually or as a couple. Wish to work for a short or long period of time.

It is my aim to help you develop your own strengths and means of coping with your present circumstances. You are in control of what you talk about and part of my role is to work at a pace which suits you. You may have specific goals for your personal development or wish to use an exploratory approach to your personal development.

My therapeutic approach is an integrative approach drawing on elements of Transactional Analysis, psychodynamic, CBT and person centred theories of counselling and psychotherapy. Fundamental to the approach I use is my belief that every individual is ok. That they have come to this point in their lives having made the best decisions they could and that they can change their future if they want to.

The following ground rules apply to any work I do with clients:

• Sessions will last for 50 minutes.
• All material remains confidential, except in exceptional circumstances, which will be discussed with you.
• When you begin your sessions a regular commitment to that time and day once a week is expected.
• You will be informed of any breaks I will take.
  24 hours notice is required to cancel a session. If a session is on a Monday, cancellation will need to be received on the previous Friday. If it is not received payment will be required.
• Payment is agreed at your first session. Any increase in fees you will be given one month’s notice of.
• It is important to plan endings within the context of counselling and psychotherapy. If you decide to terminate your sessions prematurely, please discuss this with me so that we can plan an ending together.

I am able to offer the following formats of counselling;

Face-to-Face – If you live locally you will be able to attend my private practice in either Devizes or Trowbridge. The initial session will give us an opportunity to see if we can work together. Fees will be discussed during the initial session. In some circumstances I am able to offer concessions.

E-mail Therapy – This takes place by an exchange of e-mails either on a weekly basis or within a shorter time frame. After sending your initial e-mail we would agree a working contract. I aim to check my e-mails on a daily basis and reply to all enquiries within 24 hours. Fees available on request.

Couples therapy – I have undertaken training to work with couples.
Couples may wish to improve their relationship or else be experiencing a period of distress. Fees available on request.

Group Therapy – I run therapy groups when I have sufficient people interested in attending. Please e-mail me if you want to be informed when the next group is due to begin. Prior to joining the group you will be required to attend two individual sessions with myself in order to assess your suitability for this type of work.
Groups run for two hours, require a minimum commitment for 6months. Fees are available on request.

Real time Internet Therapy– Please contact me via e-mail for further information on this service.