I find working in the ‘ here and now’ to be an excellent tool to help clients understand their own process, think of it as working in ‘real-time’.  We can spend time exploring the past and also the future, however the key is to bring the thoughts, feelings and emotions back to the present: This helps to raise awareness around triggers and patterns of behavior ( anger, anxiety, addiction etc ).

I find it beneficial to work with descriptions and metaphors, as these are great tools that can be used to better understand what is going on for you. This method works particularly well, as sometimes it can be hard to express certain thoughts or feelings; so rather than searching for something that may have escaped you, we can use a more creative approach to understand your ways of thinking and feeling.

Counseling isn't always about the negative, meaning it's important for us to celebrate the positives! Smiles and happiness are an important part of the Therapeutic relationship. They allow us to explore two different ends of the spectrum, and to see what else is going on in your life ( as nothing is black and white! )

Communication is key, so it is important that we can find a way of sharing that works for you. This means taking the time to check-in and talk about what is working and what we can improve on; Therapy sessions are always guided by you and your best interests.

Lastly, it is important to keep in mind that Counseling can be an emotional roller-coaster; sometimes you will feel better, at other times you may feel bruised and exhausted from it. This is all part of the process. It can be a tough journey but it is one that you have the strength to face, even if at times it all feels too much.