Psychotherapy
What is Psychotherapy?
Put very simply, this is a talking therapy. However, there are many approaches which make psychotherapy much more than a conversation.
Whatever you say is heard without judgement and I never impose my own beliefs on you. This is about helping you to understand truthfully how you are thinking and the affect this has on your life decisions and choices.
Psychotherapy can open up an objective view, where you see more clearly what leads you to have certain beliefs, thoughts and feelings. We are often surprised at the ‘hidden’ influences inside us, motivations we were not fully aware of. Once we become aware of our deeper thoughts and drives it’s possible to make clearer, healthier choices, understand how we are influencing our lives and how to take better control of ourselves in order to nurture a more satisfying, contented life over which we have control.
Our actions are very often more habit than thought, leading us to feel surprised that ‘this is happening again’, or thinking, ‘how did I end up here again?’ We feel we are trying new things, where in fact habit takes us over and we end up with the same unsatisfying result.
My approach can include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which is a way of removing unhelpful habits of thinking. This is especially effective when the root of the problem is older, perhaps in childhood, or if you wish to break more obvious habits such as smoking or over-eating.
More about CBT
CBT is a way of helping you to break harmful habits of thought.
Imagine your parents always criticised you. As an adult at work you now find it hard to take constructive feedback because you always hear it as criticism. Instead of changing how you work, you get angry and resentful.
It can be very difficult to work out the history of our bad habits, but with CBT you don’t need to. It deals with the present, helping you break down negative behaviours without having to know where they came from.
Once you become aware of the habit you can hear feedback, learn from it, get better at what you do and earn a promotion – instead of the resentment that left you stuck in the same old job.
CBT is especially good for treating depression and anxiety, but is also effective for…
- Panic attacks
- Eating disorders – such as anorexia and bulimia
- Phobias
- Insomnia
- Drug or alcohol issues
What happens in a session?
Usually I will begin with an introductory conversation, where we discuss your expectations and what you hope to get from therapy. While we will talk about the difficulties you face, you will always be in control. I will not push you or force you to talk about anything that you do not wish to.
In sessions we will simply sit together and talk. Many people find great value in having a space in which they are free to say anything, to open up about subjects that they are uncomfortable talking to friends or loved ones about.
As we progress I may suggest various ways in which to help. Psychotherapy can be combined with hypnotherapy, CBT and mindfulness practice to give you a toolkit of new ways to reflect on and manage difficult life situations.
You can find out more about these approaches here:
Psychotherapy is an excellent tool for…
- Coping with trauma and painful life events
- Managing day-to-day issues during times of stress or significant change
- Overcoming difficult childhood experiences
- Managing difficult relationships
- Depression or long term struggles with mood
- Persistent worry or anxiety
- Difficulty concentrating, focussing and/or insomnia
When you’re ready
We often avoid healing because it can be a painful experience in the short term. Then it becomes clear that short-term pain is better than carrying trauma for years to come.
Book an introductory appointment to see if my approach is right for you.