Private Counselling Service
ANXIETY & DEPRESSION
Life is often stressful and you might feel overwhelmed with major life events such as emotional shock or huge changes in your personal life or health. Depression is often also the response to prolonged periods of not feeling in control of things in your life. This can also give rise to anxiety and feeling unable to deal appropriately with everyday situations.
Counselling is a good way of finding out what is at the heart of your behaviours and responses. I work gently and in a client-led way to help you make links and regain control. This process requires honesty and trust from both counsellor and client, but the work is rewarding and hugely beneficial for yourself and those around you.
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Over the last few years, I have witnessed the benefits of introducing gentle Mindfulness CBT, and when called for, and in collaboration with my clients, work on creating a 'toolbox' to use between sessions, or at times when they are in situations that would normally spiral out of control. Clients report this is hugely helpful and give them the confidence they can manage their difficulties on their own.
SELF ESTEEM & PURPOSE
At the heart of my service is the conviction that each person carries within themselves the ability to grow and heal. Carl Rogers believed that if we could accept ourselves just as we are, then we can change, which seems like a paradox, however within the therapeutic relationship you will experience unconditional positive regard and acceptance for whatever you bring into your sessions and in doing this, it is possible to gain understanding and ultimately clarity around your own personality and what is important to you.
In doing so, behaviours such as people pleasing and seeking approval from others can make room for an ability to self-regulate based on your own objective perception.
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I have found the works of Viktor Frankl inspiring in understanding why people often suffer great pain due to not seeing what their purpose is on earth. In this pursuit, people end up in dead-end careers and relationships that are toxic. In my work with clients, we look at future fulfillment and meaning. Frankl believed that purpose can be found even in the most adverse of situations.
This is dedicated work but long-term benefits you and all of your loved ones in turn. If you have children, I think this work can prevent a lot of self-esteem problems for our next generation as well.
END OF LIFE & BEREAVEMENT
The death of a loved one is often shattering. I am extremely passionate about providing support and help to those experiencing the pain and devastation of losing someone close to them. Equally, those who are riddled with guilt or frightened and surprised by feelings of anger and bitterness that often get suppressed or hidden. In my work I also get to walk alongside those who have received a terminal diagnosis, making sense of very complex emotions and calming their fears, working towards peace and acceptance.
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In counselling we can explore the range of emotions and difficulties associated with your loss. Working through the pain and emptiness with someone who can truly listen and understand when it feels as if there is no-one to talk to is of immense benefit.
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People often feel as if friends and family are not there for them or do not grasp the impact of the bereavement, on top of that they can say things that feel inappropriate and leave the bereaved feeling very alone in their pain.
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Whether you just need some support for a few weeks or longer-term deeper work around the death of someone, I can offer you a space to find your way through this difficult time at your own pace.
RELATIONSHIP DIFFICULTIES
Often we are surprised by how different we can act and feel to our usual selves when we find ourselves in an intimate relationship. Many factors are at work when we share our lives with another and getting to understand why certain patterns and issues repeat in our relationships is important.
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I have found that clients benefit from being able to hear themselves say the things they are unable to express clearly with their partner and in our work together are able to learn how better to use emotional literacy and be better communicators. This is not just useful in intimate relationships, but in life in general.
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I have seen how often we base how we are in relationships on how we perceived the adults around us when we were growing up and how they 'did relationships'. It could go two ways as we can either try to do things completely different or we can subconsciously step into the roles that were modelled for us. Either way, understanding what is ours and becoming better communicators is key to working on relationship issues.
ATTACHMENT ISSUES IN ADULTS
I have dedicated a section here to attachment issues in adults as I have found that the unraveling of how secure someone's emotional bond was with their main caregiver during childhood is helpful in identifying destructive patterns of relating to others in later life.
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In helping my clients explore their attachment style, it can improve self-esteem, dissociation, anxiety, depression, and addictions. Rooted in a learned behaviour that was adapted to keep the child safe and get their needs met, it becomes troublesome in adulthood and is the cause of many relationship difficulties and a sense of not feeling accepted in the world as we know it.
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ACCULTURATION & ADAPTATION
Cultural transition when moving from one cultural context/environment to another is stressful and deserves special attention. There has been worldwide migration and globalization over the last several decades. I have noticed the effects on people over a lifetime of adapting to a new country and the effects on their mental and physical health.
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Having personal experience in this area, I can offer clients a deeper understanding and empathy for what they are experiencing. Acculturation is complex and has an effect not only in the immediate circumstances but also in the long-term, coping with the losses that go hand in hand with settling in a foreign country. These losses often impact relationships and affect clients' sense of self and their life purpose.
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Feeling understood and gaining coping strategies are important in building resilience and acceptance as well as easing the impacts on health and well-being in the long term.
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Please note that Recentre Therapy is not a crisis line and if you are having a mental health emergency please contact your local crisis line or 999 in case of a medical emergency.
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Samaritans: Call 116 123
You can call 111 if you are unable to get in touch with your local NHS mental health helpline.
