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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Counselling Questions

What is Counselling?

It is a talking therapy, that involves a qualified therapist who will listen to your worries and help you to resolve your personal or psychological difficulty.

How do I know if I need Counselling?

If you are constantly thinking about the same issue and feeling sad, or something is stopping you fully engaging in your life and you are not sure why, then you may need counselling. You might be feeling anxious and struggling to sleep at night and not sure what is at the root of your anxiety. Having such constant worry can leave you feeling mentally and physically exhausted; counselling will help you to make sense of your thoughts and feelings.

It can be daunting asking for help and some people may view it as a sign of weakness. But it is not, it a sign of personal strength and courage and that you want to improve your life.

What is expected of you?

You will be encouraged to talk about your thoughts and feelings in a safe, confidential place free of critical judgments it will help you to get a better understanding of your distress and help you to find your own solution.

What does Counselling help with?

The British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) says Counselling changes lives.  And I agree, counselling offers clarity for you a way forward into living a life that is in tune with your own values.  It can have a positive impact on mental and emotional well-being for many difficulties, creating a harmony with issues such as accepting your sexuality, low self-esteem, depression, addictive behaviour, childhood sexual abuse, assertiveness, domestic abuse and many other emotional difficulties.

Counselling for low self-esteem – Self-esteem is the opinion we have about ourselves, such as “I am worthy” as well as emotional states such as pride in oneself.  Low self-esteem is a symptom of many emotional difficulties.

We can all have a bad day and go through difficult times, which make us feel uncertain about yourselves and our abilities in relationships and work.   There are also times when nothing seems to go right.  But for some, the feeling of worthlessness is always there.  If you are struggling with low self-esteem, you may feel you are unlovable, awkward or useless.  You may be pessimistic and have fewer expectations from your life, lack self-confidence and neglect your own needs.  Your negative self-belief becomes a fact in your mind and your negative self-image has become how you describe yourself.

Difficult life experiences can contribute to having a low self-esteem; such as experiencing prejudice, discrimination, being bullied or having been abused; or your self-esteem may have suddenly changed because of money worries or your physical health.

Having positive self-esteem is not selfish it is central to who we are and how we perceive ourselves.  Counselling for low self-esteem takes courage to explore the things you don’t like about yourself and want to change, it allows you the time to look back and review your life story; to reflect clearly on your current situation without feeling blame.  To appreciate the qualities in you, to have a better relationship with yourself, and others; to feel good about your true self.

How long will it take?

Everybody is different.  For some, it may be just a few sessions but for others, it may take a little longer.

We agree to meet weekly and how many sessions, with regular reviews on how you are feeling.

How much does counselling cost?

£45.00 for 60 minutes.

Concessions for over 65’s and students.

My approach to Counselling

As an Integrative Counsellor my work is based on honesty and equality.  I work creatively, drawing from other therapeutic approaches to suit your needs.  I do not give advice or tell you what to do.  You know what hurts and together you can find the courage to listen to yourself to increase your self-knowledge to be able to listen and trust your intuition, to value yourself, to be kind to yourself, to accept yourself to make healthy choices to take your vision into action.

If you are having suicidal thoughts and are in desperate need of support;

  • the Samaritans’ offer a 24hour free telephone helpline and the telephone number is 116 123.
  • if you have seriously harmed yourself and your life is in danger then call 999 and ask for an ambulance.

If you are worried about someone:

  • try to get them to talk to you and you just listen
  • You can call their GP and ask for an emergency appointment
  • If the person’s life is in danger you can call 999 and ask for an ambulance or take the person to A and E.

CB Hypnotherapy Questions

What is Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy?

It is a talking therapy that integrates Cognitive Behavioural Therapy with Hypnosis. It focuses on present time difficulties, teaching you coping skills and self-hypnosis.

Empowering you to resolve your own difficulties in the future.

What does it help with?

Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy is used in the treatment of General Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety, Phobias, self-confidence, Insomnia and exam stress.  It can also help break destructive habits such as alcohol addiction, smoking and a range of long-term health conditions such as Pain Management.  Furthermore, it is gaining steam in the medical world after the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recognised it as a treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) ?

CBT is grounded in the concept that your feelings, thoughts, physical sensations and actions are interconnected and that your thoughts and feelings can trap you in a vicious circle.

It is a short-term talking therapy that focuses on helping deal with your current problems, creating practical ways to improve your state of mind.

Treatment plans are formulated using scientific research which are evidence-based and consistent with your goals of therapy.

How does it work?

It focuses on challenging and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviours. The aim of therapy is to teach you about your symptoms and how your problems are maintained. The interventions are designed to be educational so skills can be learnt and practised.

Once you have a greater sense of self-awareness and new knowledge, you will feel empowered and be able to generalize your new skills to meet your own needs, improving your own emotional well-being.

What is Hypnosis?

Hypnosis can be defined as focused attention on a dominant idea that influences an interaction with both your mind and body.

Hypnosis is not something I do to you, but rather something you do to yourself.  You will be responding to your imagination.  You will be in control the whole time.

You will not be asleep.  You will be aware of being in a hypnotic state and can stop anytime you want to.

What is Hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy is a psychological therapy that uses the power of suggestion to encourage greater healing and create the positive change you are looking for.

How does hypnosis work?

Hypnosis works on reprogramming your irrational unhelpful beliefs with new rational and helpful beliefs, using focused attention in a relaxed state.

Using relaxation, you will be guided to reach a state where the conscious part of your mind is relaxed allowing your sub-conscious mind to be open to the positive suggestions.

What happens in the sessions?

In the first session, it is a gathering of information and you will be encouraged to talk about your thoughts, feelings and physical reactions; to establish how your symptoms are affecting your day to day life.  And to agree with the goals of therapy.

In the second and following sessions, the treatment interventions will begin.  We may agree that it would be beneficial for you to practise things in-between sessions such as to complete a thought diary.  But don’t worry you will never be pushed into doing something, that you don’t feel comfortable with.

You will need to commit to working together in the therapy sessions and to attend all the planned sessions.