I work with individuals (18+) and with couples and I offer counselling face to face in Cardiff (Tuesday to Friday 9.30am to 2.30pm) and online through Zoom, Monday to Friday daytime and evenings.
Individual Counselling
I draw upon both a Person Centred Approach to therapy which supports your personal growth and self worth, and upon Humanistic Counselling which supports you as a whole and encourages you to take responsibility for your thoughts and actions. During our time together, you will feel a high level of empathy and understanding and a non-judgemental acceptance of you and anything you wish to talk about. I will always place you and your needs at the centre of our time together.
I will focus on understanding and seeing your world just as you see it and I will share this with you to help you understand what's really going on for you above and beneath the surface. Having someone help you to feel genuine in your world, without the numbing effect of wearing a 'mask' or 'armour' will encourage you to let go of patterns that work against you and leave life feeling so much easier and more rewarding for you going forward.
My approach concentrates on effective listening, reflecting the material you bring, questioning negative behaviours and challenging unhelpful conscious or unconscious inner beliefs. I will promote your confidence to rely upon your feelings when making decisions, which will support your wellbeing and happiness in all areas of your life.
Couples Counselling
My focus will be on working with you both to understand the difficulties in the relationship and to help create solutions for change. You will both have equal opportunity to express yourselves about the issues and I will support you both to heal and improve.
My approach to couples psychotherapy and counselling is an understanding and solution-focused therapy, which helps couples explore and address issues and move on together positively. At its heart is the meeting of your essential emotional needs so you both feel emotionally and mentally healthy.
An openness to change is the key. My counselling approach will identify areas of the relationship which aren't working, explore why and help you make positive changes. Healing realtionship damage together and moving forward may feel impossible right now, but couples therapy will really help you understand your relationship so you can confidently work through areas that remain difficult.
Some sessions will be with you both and some with each of you individually. You will both be able to take forward what you learn about yourselves and your relationship, as permanent, positive and practical changes for your future.
Typical difficulties couples bring are -
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Frequent conflict and arguments
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Poor communication
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Emotionally distanced couples on the verge of separation
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Specific problems such as sexual difficulties, infidelity, money, and parenting
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Blended family issues
Counselling online with me
I offer face to face counselling from a private and comfortable space in Cardiff but more and more people prefer online counselling.
Being able to see your counsellor online gives you all the benefits you get from face to face counselling but with the added convenience of being at home or in a suitable personal space. Talking promotes conveying empathy through the tone of voice and seeing each other through video allows important nonverbal communications through facial expressions.
You will need to find a safe and private space for our sessions, so you are not overheard or disturbed. You can use your car if you don’t have privacy indoors, as long as your Wi-Fi connection is ok.
I use the secure Zoom platform and I am accredited through the Association for Counselling & Online Therapy (ACTO) to work online. Setting up is simple and I will provide any information and help you need.
How I will help you during our sessions
During the time we spend together you will feel genuinely heard and understood. I will listen and support you within a warm and welcoming non-judgemental space where you are safe to talk about anything you wish to.
We will regularly check in together to make sure we are working towards your goals and we are working in a way that suits you best. Meeting your needs will always be the focus of our work together.
I will help you to understand why you feel the way that you do and join the dots of repeating patterns which hold you back. I will safely challenge your beliefs and behaviours which work against you, so you can make the changes to become the person you want to be.
From hundreds of hours working with clients, I understand the effects that traumatic events and difficult choices can have upon you and how you may be left with punishing feelings that you can't break free from or shake off.
I will help you to build trust and confidence in yourself and in your own decision making, and support you to come to terms with difficult experiences so you can let them go.
