Counselling

One to one counselling creates a private and confidential space where you can discuss issues that bother you, and work towards positive change.

It is sometimes a surprise for people who come for counselling to discover that we do not tell them what to do, although we can give information. Clients often leave sessions with very helpful advice, but it is often the advice they have, with help, worked out for themselves.

The difference between a Psychologist and a counsellor is that often counsellors are trained only in one model of counselling, whereas a Counselling Psychologist is trained in at least three models of counselling and can use and adapt these to suit the individual's requirements. Psychologists generally will have a greater depth of knowledge and will have studied for 6 years. (3 years at undergraduate level and three years (or more) at post graduate level).Psychologists are regulated by the British Psychological Society and base their approaches on research and what works best, they have to complete a certain number of continuing professional development hours each year (further training, learning, reading and research) to keep their practice up to date.

This means that the counselling / therapy is individually tailored, based on best practice, and the therapist can work in different ways, often integrating and combining more than one approach for the benefit of the client.

You will not be expected to pick from the options below – rather they are there for interest, it is just an example of the different types of counselling approaches that may be used or combined during treatment.

Models of counselling used:

Brief Counselling / Brief Solution Focussed Therapy

This is a modern approach, growing in popularity. Shown on the TV programme “In Therapy” (Discovery Health) as getting the best results in the shortest space of time, many psychologists, psychiatry teams and health visitors from the NHS are being trained in these principles. Research shows that over 80% of clients having this type of therapy report lasting improvements in their lives.

Generally, up to 6 sessions are required, whereas with traditional counselling, the programme of treatment can last for much longer.

With brief solution focussed counselling, instead of focussing on your “problems” you will be asked to focus on solutions. Instead of focussing to the past, we focus on moving towards the future. Instead of trying to work out what has gone wrong, the emphasis is on what has gone right, acknowledging and building on strengths.

This is a modern “quick fix”, to help you see the wood for the trees, find a direction, and particularly helpful in building self esteem.

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)

Our thoughts (what we think every day) affect our mood and what we do. For example, if a person thinks “I am fat and ugly” every day, they are more likely to feel miserable and eat even more.

CBT challenges thoughts and works with feelings and behaviours, in order to change the perspective, and therefore the feelings and behaviours.

Generally around 12 sessions are required.

There is usually some suggested things to do between appointments, which helps the therapy continue between sessions, this will be agreed with you and you will never be asked to do something that you do not feel comfortable with.

Person Centred Counselling

This type of counselling is more traditional, the client is supported, listened to with empathy, and at times, gently challenged. The past can be explored in great depth. It can be part of a journey of self discovery and generally is longer term (12 plus sessions).

Psychoanalytic / Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

This is about patterns from the past and unconscious motivation – it was founded by Freud's work on psychoanalysis. What is said is analysed by the therapist and discussed with the client. We pick up patterns and motivations. This is an interesting, enlightening, and usually longer term way of working with clients, usually with deeper problems and can be a very rewarding journey of self discovery.

This type of therapy is generally longer term. It can take several months, or even years.

Integrative

This simply means integrating more than one counselling model.