What is Counselling & Psychotherapy

Counselling and psychotherapy are umbrella terms which cover a range of talking therapies. In very general terms, whilst there are large areas of overlap between the two, counselling usually refers to shorter-term support for those who are dealing with a particular difficulty, whereas psychotherapy refers to longer-term, deeper psychological work around difficulties that may be long-standing and not linked to any particular event. ‘Therapist’ is a term used to refer to counsellors and psychotherapists.

Our Role

Only you can decide whether you wish to try counselling or psychotherapy. Just talking to someone confidentially who is not a friend or family member can make all the difference. Counselling or psychotherapy provides a regular time for those in distress to explore their feelings and talk about their problems. A therapist can help you develop better ways of coping, allowing you to live the life you deserve.

My role is to help you, the client, to explore your issues and through the use of therapeutic principles, structure and techniques, to find direction or purpose in your life, to overcome difficulties, to create change, to enhance your emotional and mental wellbeing.
Through therapy my aim is to:
• Offering a reliable and confidential relationship
• Provide support during times of crisis and transition
• Deepen awareness of yourself and your relationships
• Offer a safe place where you can speak about feelings that worry or frighten you
• Make sense of recurring problems and exploring their links with the past
• Challenge repeating unhelpful patterns of thought and behaviour

Behaviour Pattern

Behaviour Pattern
A counsellor will never impose their own values or beliefs on a client, and will remain impartial and non-judgmental. The counselling process is an opportunity for the client to explore their own values and beliefs, and to understand how to challenge him/herself to make positive changes in their life.

Confidentiality
All counsellors are bound by a Code of Ethics and Practice, as well as by whichever professional body they belong to. The clauses state that:
No information is exchanged with a third party, unless with prior client consent.
The content of the meeting remains private and confidential.
In extreme circumstances, where the counsellor becomes concerned for the personal safety of the client, the client is informed that confidentiality may be broken. A Risk Help Plan can be created to provide additional support for the client.

The BACP Code of Ethics is very clear and inclusive to ensure the safety of the client and the therapist. A link to these Code and Ethics that I work by can be found here