counselling

QUAL. Counselling/psychotherapy

"Seeking greater awareness, acceptance or understanding of yourself, others or situations .... perhaps some sort of change in attitude, behaviour, feelings or perspective?

Counselling and psychotherapy may help. They are one and the same thing ... a therapeutic relationship between two people: the client and the counsellor/therapist. It provides a safe time and opportunity to explore whatever difficulties the client is experiencing, such as anger, anxiety, bereavement, change, depression, fear, guilt, isolation, loss, relationships, shame, stress ... and talk things through in confidence to help understand past experiences, current problems or future worries. Hence the term 'talking therapy'.

The person-centred counsellor/therapist works collaboratively with their client with whatever the client chooses to talk about (*) ... they encourage their client to express their feelings, explore their difficulties in depth and reflect on the options available to help to resolve their difficulties.

They may give their client information, but do not direct the client (*) in any way nor give advice. Ultimately the client is in control and trusted to find their own solutions or truths. The therapist is a trusted, respectful and non-judgemental companion on the client's journey .

Irvin D. Yallom described this process as a 'gift' ..."

(*) N.B. 'Pre-Trial Therapy' (PTT) for children, young people, vulnerable and intimidated

victims and witnesses follows the Crown Prosecution Service guidance .

More about PTT

"Yallom's Gift of Therapy ..."

Counselling Experience

The Person-centred approach (PCA)

Counselling Offering

The QUAL. difference

The person-centred approach to counselling was developed by Carl Rogers over 60 years ago.

It is based on a series of beliefs rooted in the philosophies of existentialism, humanism and phenomenology:

we ALL strive to do our best whatever our circumstances
we are ALL unique, worthy and deserving of respect
we know ourselves better than anyone else and are, therefore, best placed to make our OWN choices and decisions
the answers/solutions to our problems/difficulties lie within us and WILL become apparent given the right conditions ...

'The relationship ...' which develops between the counsellor and client '... is the therapy' ... no expert analysis, interpretation, teaching, techniques or advice.

When the relationship is genuine, open, honest, trusting and safe ...

And when the client feels heard, understood, accepted, supported, valued, not judged in any way ...

The conditions are right for personal growth and change to take place ...

And for us to become ...

free of internal (self imposed) and external control (imposed by others)
capable of self healing
more 'fully functioning'
our 'true selves'

My counselling training and voluntary work began 16 years ago with Victim Support - supporting victims of all serious crimes domestic/sexual/racial abuse, hate and honour based crimes, murder/mansaughter plus child victims and witnesses without parental permission when necessary.

My counselling placements involving one to one/group approaches includes:

A rape and sexual abuse agency ... working with female and male victims or their family members, plus telephone helpline

A hospice ... working with family/friends/children pre/post bereavement and terminally ill day/in patients, plus bereavement therapy groups for adults and weekend workshops for children

A prison ... working with C. Category male prisoners of minor to serious crimes as they work their way through H.M.P.'s system

An academy inclusion unit ... working with 11-18 years olds who are temporarily excluded from mainstream school activites or need theraputic help for various personal reasons

A primary school ... working with younger children

NOTE: QUAL does not currently offer private counselling.

The first meeting is an opportunity to find out more about counselling, about me and my approach, ask any questions and assess if it is the right thing at this point in time.

Everything is carefully explained and, if a decision to go ahead is reached, a way of working together is agreed:

the boundaries of confidentiality
the time and location of sessions
the cost per session
the number of sessions before a review
any limitations/preferences which need accommodating, e.g. hearing/mobility/working creatively
the need for 'Pre-Trial Therapy' (PTT) if there is a possibility of going to court

any changes to the standard counselling contract
cancellations and ending counselling procedures

Subsequent hourly meetings are usually arranged for a regular day and time each week, but some flexibility is possible to work around other commitments

Qual. is short for qualitative.

In essence the quality of something rather than the quantity.

A qualitative difference relates to a significant change of some sort, such as greater self awareness and understanding.

Change is one of the aims of counselling, be it a change of attitude, behaviour, feelings, perspective or whatever ...

Q is for:

Quest - to seek things out Quandary - a dilemma resolved

Quiddity - discovering the essence of something ...

U is for:

Understanding you

Unburdening yourself

Useful learning

A is for: