When it comes to counselling, I believe that we are all dynamic psychological-spiritual-physical-social living beings.
Treatment starts with identifying any depletion within these realms. For long term life change, we needs to move beyond the symptom and find the source. I honour the diversity of the human being and use an integrated approach within sessions. I will work with a variety of applicable modalities, coming alongside the client with compassion, non-judgment and open-mindedness. Together we work towards the client’s improved sense of well-being in work, personal or relational settings.
My scope of practice includes but is not limited to, providing support in interpersonal relationships, spiritual growth, marital relationships, parental relationships, health-related issues such as stress management, lifestyle management in prevention of chronic disease, victim empowerment, trauma debriefing, domestic violence, household planning, workplace adaption, risk-taking, management of anxiety and depression, substance abuse, support of vulnerable people, mental preparation for retirement and any other general problem that people encounter in day to day living.
The ABC of counselling
Holistic Counselling is a highly personalised approach that helps you, help yourself when you feel the need for support or assistance. The Holistic Counselling: Rather than treating just the symptoms, looks deeper and tries to uncover underlying causes.
Counselling falls under the umbrella term ‘talking therapies’. Individuals or groups discuss the concerns and difficulties they encounter in a safe, confidential environment. Counselling can mean different things to different people, but generally, it is the procedure people seek when they want to change something in their lives, or explore their thoughts and feelings in more depth.
As a counsellor my role is not to sit you down and tell you what to do. Rather to encourage you to talk about what’s bothering you in order to reveal any root causes and identify patterns in your ways of thinking. I may then look to create a plan of action to either help you resolve your concerns, or help you to find ways of coping.
Counselling does not take a one size fits all format and each session is generally tailored to fit your individual needs.
The benefits of counselling
Counselling serves to assist you to improve you quality of life. Through the counselling process, you are able to better understand your thoughts and feelings, and possible wants, needs and goals. Exploring personal dynamics and behaviours leads to improved self-awareness. This, in turn, assists in a better understanding of how your surroundings affect you and the possible reason for your responses thereto. This understanding allows personal reflection, leading to realisable ways of overcoming life hurdles, by finding healthier ways of living and achieving your goals.
Should you develop personally concerning behaviours and emotions, or if you are faced with unpredicted life events, which lead to personal and interpersonal conflict, such as excessive anger, grief and bereavement, addiction, anxiety, crisis and trauma, counselling can assist you with the tools to better cope and work towards practical resolutions. With the intention of enhanced well-being.
You generally have a need to connect with others, which may lead to marriage and or relationship conflict. Relationships at the workplace and everyday life, may also cause difficulty for you. Counselling may assist with conflict resolution and communication skills, as well as a deeper understanding of self and how you interact with the world around you. Including, exploring healthier ways of interacting with others and yourself.
Marriage and relationship counselling may serve in assisting you in difficult times. Sometimes we just need an empathic ear, someone to talk to about our personal or relationship problems, allowing us to share around feelings and concerns, and possible ways to better express yourself in this regard. In these situations, a neutral figure, the counsellor, may help couples recognise the problems in their relationship.
Modern living may be full or stress, crisis, loss and sometimes trauma. This may result in a variety of emotional, physical and mental processes, which can leave you feeling as if you are unable to cope with easy daily tasks. At these times, counselling may assist in regaining a feeling of well-being within your life.
Addiction affects more individuals than what we are generally aware. People suffering with the disease of addiction may present with obsessive, compulsive behaviours around chemicals and alcohol, including food, sex, gambling, work, shopping, exercising etc. I am able to assist the afflicted and their loved ones in the process of attempting to arrest and reform their lives.
