What is Counselling?
'Creating space to be who I am and to bring what I have'.
We all encounter times of difficulty in our lives when we need more than our normal support networks such as family and friends. It can be helpful to talk through issues with someone outside our everyday life, such as a trained professional. My aim is to enable you to feel heard, valued and affirmed. Sadly, many people rarely feel they are truly heard, as so often, even in closest relationships, the other person is not fully listening but already forming their response. But when we know we have been fully heard and we are accepted as we are, without judgement and with empathy, this in itself can be deeply healing. It provide the basis for our relationship as therapist and client, from which trust can grow.
Counselling is not about giving advice but is collaborative work, between the therapist and client, where goals are clearly identified and the work is regularly reviewed. The therapist listens carefully to all that the client brings to the session and uses counselling skills and tools to enable the client to understand themselves, their thought patterns and behaviour better. As this happens the client gains a new perspective on their situation and is empowered to make different choices and responses.
I offer short -term and long-term counselling face to face, online, via Zoom, or by telephone, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. I am able to offer early evening appointments on Zoom or by telephone.
About Online Counselling
Before COVID 19 I had only worked face to face with clients and would have been sceptical about online counselling, as well as anxious about using technology, with the possibility of technical issues interrupting the session. However, I have been working with clients regularly on Zoom over the last year and have been very pleasantly surprised at how a good working relationship between myself and my clients can be formed and develop. It is important that you, as the client, make an informed choice and underneath I have outlined some of the benefits of online counselling as well as points to consider.
Pros and Cons of Online Counselling
Benefits
- Convenience of counselling sessions from your own home, cutting out travel time.
- You may feel more relaxed in your own surroundings.
- Secure inscription software offers confidentiality and peace of mind.
- Avoids potential anxiety or embarrassment about being seen entering the counsellor's practice.
Things to consider
- Are you comfortable using internet technology or speaking on the telephone?
- Would you prefer to see your counsellor face-to-face?
- Do you feel your situation is too complex to discuss via the internet?
- Do you have privacy where you will not be interrupted?
Get in touch
Feel free to contact me at: morningstarcounselling@protonmail.com if you have any questions about how counselling works, or to arrange a free 30 minute initial consultation, by Zoom or telephone. This enables us to discuss the reasons you are thinking of coming to counselling, whether it could be helpful for you and whether I am the right therapist to help.
You can also call me on 07519830721 if you would prefer to leave a message or speak to me first. I am happy to discuss any queries or questions you may have prior to arranging an initial appointment.
All enquires are usually answered within 24 hours, and all contact is strictly confidential and uses secure phone and email services. Find out more by reading my Privacy Policy.
“There, peeping among the cloud-wrack above a dark tor high up in the mountains, Sam saw a white star twinkle for a while. The beauty of it smote his heart, as he looked up out of the forsaken land, and hope returned to him."
J.R.R. Tolkien, The Return of The King
