What do these different therapeutic approaches mean?
– Rewind therapy for PTSD – this can help stop or reduce your nightmares, flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, anxiety and avoidance after a traumatic event.
– Trauma-informed – Trauma-informed therapy asks “What happened to you?” instead of “What is wrong with you?”. It can help understand your past trauma and how it affects you in the present, and discover ways in which you can live a more balanced, peaceful and fulfilling life.
– Somatic awareness – noticing what you we experience in the mind and the body as well as the connection between the two
– Attachment focused – exploring how childhood experiences might impact our adult relationships
– Internal Family Systems – help identify, accept and heal the different parts of ourselves
– Compassion-focused – help with issues of shame and self-criticism
– Creative therapy – using non-verbal expression like drawing, working with stones, working with visual cards, etc, as a means to communicate our inner world.
What will the initial free 30 minutes consultation cover?
First and foremost, to find out whether we feel comfortable working together. There is no obligation on either part to continue should this not be the case, for whatever reason.
We will also find out what you would like to gain from counselling and what your expectations are. For example, you might want to focus on a problem resolution without the need to find the root cause. This could be addressed via short-term counselling. Alternatively, you might be looking for a wider exploration of several issues. This would be best addressed via open-ended counselling.
Lastly, we can discuss the wider counselling contract and clarify any questions or concerns you have.
Where will the initial consultation take place?
It can take place at the Bournemouth therapy room or online. Not available at Poole.
Will we have a counselling contract?
Yes. A copy of this can be emailed to you in advance of our first meeting. Therapy can only start one the contract has been agreed and signed.
How many sessions will I need?
This will be entirely dependent on your therapy goals. We will continue with the approach agreed at our initial consultation whilst retaining flexibility should your needs and goals change. One way of achieving that is to agree a block of sessions followed by a review. Sometimes this can be enough and you can choose to end there. You can always return later. If we feel there is more work to be done we will agree another block of sessions and review again. This helps maintain focus on your goals for counselling and puts you in control of the amount of sessions you need.
How will therapy work?
My therapy ethos is best summed up by Babette Rothschild’s quote “The first goal of trauma recovery should and must be to improve your quality of life on a daily basis.”
Our work together will be based on three key principles: empathy, honesty, and self-compassion.
We will:
– explore the root of your problems
– understand how your past life experience is affecting you at present
– discover what you want to change and how you can do it.
What training have you had?
Below is a list of some of the training I have undertaken over the years. I see training as an on-going necessity and I regularly attend new conferences, workshops and courses.
– Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling- Level 4 Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body (CPCAB)
– Certificate in Rewind Technique – IARTT (International Association for Rewind Trauma Therapy)
– Rewind Technique- NHS Training Course
– Certificates in Counselling Studies and Counselling Skills- Level 3 and 2 CPCAB
– Open University: How To Do Counselling Online- a Coronavirus Primer
– Trauma Research Foundation (TRF) Certificate in Traumatic Stress (on-going)
– Complex Trauma Certification Training Level 1 & 2 (CCTP/CCTP-II) with Janina Fisher
– Treating Complex Trauma with Internal Family Systems (PESI 2 -day Intensive Workshop) Frank Anderson
Workshops:
– Working with the Fallout of Narcissistic Abuse Workshop with Ramani Durvasula
– Calming the Inner Critic with Kathy Steele
– Compassion Focused Therapy for Trauma