What I offer
Developing a relationship based on trust, respect, and confidentiality is central to the counselling process. Together, we can work to generate the change needed to heal and strengthen you in a gradual and manageable way. Over time you develop the confidence to take the positive experiences and opportunities for personal growth into your daily life.
I am a warm and kind individual who cares greatly about people being able to grow through learning about themselves and their experiences. Interested in building knowledge and experience in working with various clients and situations, believing that all people are entitled to a professional “listening ear” when needed. I continue to develop and learn through Professional development and from those around me.
How I Work
I work with adults, young people and children.
As a person-centred experienced counsellor, I bring my insight, compassion and curiosity to all our sessions, so that you can freely explore, be open and voice your difficulties. Together, we collaborate and the relationship we build helps you explore your life experiences to gain clarity so that you can understand and give your life more meaning. With children and young people, I might use creative interventions such as art therapy as a way to help them express themself.
Listening
During our sessions, I listen in a way that we don’t often experience from the people in our lives - listening with understanding, curiosity and empathy. Listening with empathy has been described by Carl Rogers "as being willing to step into another’s reality, as they see it, without wanting to change or transform it." I listen carefully to the words you say, and also to the feelings that accompany them. I am respectful and accepting of your experiences and hope to understand the true sense of your world. I provide a space where you feel comfortable diving into your story, and we work together to make sense of any difficulties.
Collaboration
The key to success in the counselling relationship is built on feeling equal, listened to without judgement or assumption, in a warm, caring and safe, trusted space. A successful therapy experience is based on a relationship between us – me the counsellor and you the client. That means I work alongside you, accepting and acknowledging while also working to deepen compassionate understanding and offer possible new perspectives. Between us, this is a collaborative and alive process in the room.
Our Sessions
Most individuals develop through learning by doing, feeling and thinking, all correctly balanced, according to the individual’s phase of development, and their needs in the moment. I believe at times we can get stuck or trapped, unable to move forward and it can help to look at the present, past and future to help with this.
I use an integrative approach to counselling mainly drawing up both person-centred therapy and psychodynamic therapy. I like to think of the different counselling approaches being used to help you at whatever stage you need to work through. Person centred therapy is good for what is going on in the Present, psychodynamic therapy for the Past and other counselling therapies for the Future.
I create a space for you to explore feelings and experiences in a safe, supported way without fear of judgement in a calm, secure and welcoming environment. During our sessions, I work with you to help you feel empowered; to accept what cannot be changed and to make changes that feel possible. You develop self-awareness, personal development, better communication within relationships and/or improved self-esteem and confidence. Counselling can also strengthen your internal resources to cope better with life.
Person-Centred Therapy Counselling (Present)
Person-centred therapy, also known as client-centred counselling, is a humanistic approach. It explores the ways individuals perceive themselves consciously, rather than how a counsellor can interpret their unconscious thoughts or ideas. The core purpose of person-centred therapy is to help us self-actualise - fulfil our potential and capabilities. This approach facilitates personal growth by allowing you to explore and utilise your strengths. Person-centred therapy can help you reconnect with your values and sense of self-worth, enabling you to find your way to move forward.
Psychodynamic Therapy Counselling (Past)
Psychodynamic therapy helps you understand how your current feelings and behaviours are shaped by your past experiences and your unconscious mind and impulses. You are encouraged to talk freely and openly about your childhood and relationship with your parents or primary caregivers. This can help you understand what you’re feeling now, why you behave in a certain way and how this affects your relationships.
Other Counselling Therapies (Future)
These combine different therapeutic tools and approaches to fit the needs of the individual, I draw on different theories to respond to the differing needs of my clients.
© Michele Goldie
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