Why I became a Counsellor/Psychotherapist
My interest in this field began over 20 years ago when I worked as an Advocate for survivors of rape and sexual abuse. As I began to understand the enormous impact such a trauma could have on an individual, I also began to realise the importance of how they were treated following their disclosure, and the huge influence that had on the person's capacity to heal.
All survivors needed was to be listened to, without judgement, to be able to make choices for themselves, to be believed, to have their thoughts and feelings validated but this seemed to be very difficult to find. As Cheryl Richardson once said, "people start to heal the moment they feel heard" and this is exactly what I experienced.
To listen seems like such a simple thing to do, but how often do we share our feelings with well-intentioned friends and family, only to be met with their feelings and advice on the matter, when all we really want is to be able to work things out for ourselves?
I believe that by offering to truly listen to a client, without judgement, they can start to explore their world and begin to gain a better understanding of that world and their part in it. This understanding can then lead to any number of possibilities depending on what that client feels is right for them.
Life Experience
As well as studying I also spent many years working in Management, I therefore understand the stresses of the business world and the challenges of trying to juggle work, study and family life.
Why Choose Me?
In order to help ourselves it is important that we find the right person to speak to. Verbalising our feelings can leave us feeling vulnerable and we need to know that this vulnerability will be respected and responded to in a caring and sensitive way.
My humanistic approach puts you, the client, at the centre of the counselling process. I fully believe that you are the one who knows what is right for you, I am simply providing an empathic and non-judgemental environment within which to discover it.
