How can Therapy help me?

Most of us have ideas about what therapy involves, but when we actually start to take part in it, there can be surprises in store. This is often because of the many different theories and methods used in therapy today.

Many people feel apprehensive about seeing a therapist, and worry about what will take place. This is very common, and there is no right thing for you to say or do. Seeing a therapist is a big step in coping with your problems.

During your first session you will have the chance to talk about why you have come and about your anxieties, thoughts and feelings. Together we can decide on the best way of helping you overcome your difficulties. You will also have the opportunity to ask any questions which you may have.

MY APPROACH TO THERAPY

I have been in practice for over 22 years and use a practical action oriented approach to coping with and overcoming problems and enhancing personal growth. This approach is called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Although people may be strongly influenced by events in their early lives, I do not spend a long time rehashing the past. My focus is mainly on the present. Research has demonstrated that our emotional problems are determined not by events, but largely by the self-defeating beliefs we have about these events. For example, if you get anxious about speaking in public, your anxiety may stem from a belief such as, 'I must give a perfect speech and I am worthless if I don't'

Therapy works by teaching you to recognize and change those beliefs that result in emotional problems such as anxiety, guilt, anger and depression. Cognitive behavioral therapy will enable you to make greater use of your potential and help you to achieve your long-term goals.

WHAT HAPPENS IN THERAPY?

Together we will set specific attainable goals, while you unlearn old ways of thinking and behaving that block you in the hear and now, you can also acquire new skills in problem solving, in relating to others, and attain a greater range of emotional experience. Some forms of therapy assume that the main reason people get better in therapy is because of the positive relationship between the therapist and client.  It is important to have a good, trusting relationship, but that is not enough. Cognitive behavioral therapists believe that clients change because they learn how to think differently and they act on that learning.

Cognitive-behavioral therapists seek to learn what their clients want out of life (their goals) and then help their clients achieve those goals.  The therapist's role is to listen, teach, and encourage. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is considered among the most rapid in terms of results obtained. 

Life Coaching

What prevents you from being more personally effective in your life?

The way we think profoundly influences the way we feel. Therefore it can be said that learning to think differently can enable us to feel and act differently. Life coaching can help you to unblock your old self defeating style of thinking and doing and replace it with a new problem-solving outlook. I can offer a life coaching programme tailored specifically for you. Coaching can help you to:

•  Deal with troublesome emotions
•  Overcome Procrastination
•  Become assertive
•  Tackle poor time management
•  Help you to persist at problem solving
•  Handle criticism constructively
•  Take risks and make better decisions, and much more.