How does counselling work?
Counselling and psychotherapy is a talking treatment that helps you explore your feelings in order to understand and work through emotional difficulties. The approach is that early experiences shape the way our mind works, a large part of which operates outside of our awareness. For psychotherapy to be most effective it is helpful if you have some ability to consider the ways in which your own actions and behaviours may be contributing to the difficulties you find yourself in. From an early age, we find ways of managing our experiences and this influences how we cope in later life. Over time you gradually come to understand these experiences and make sense of how you have dealt with them. You will learn new ways of managing your current day to day difficulties to make better informed decisions in relation to life, work and relationships leading to the process of change.
What is psychodynamic counselling? Psychodynamic counselling is a supportive talking treatment in which you will be encouraged to find words for your thoughts and feelings to understand them better whilst being honest with yourself and taking responsibility for change. This form of treatment requires a commitment and willingness to get in touch with what may be painful feelings. It is a change based therapy, not just exploration. My role is to listen carefully, then help you make links between your current situation, your past experiences and your interactions with others in the therapeutic counselling setting. Elucidation of unconscious patterns of behaviour and defences used as coping mechanisms are explored in relation to how they influence current relationships and behaviour. This process enables you to reflect on your experiences, increase self-awareness, and move forward with a better understanding of yourself and the world around you. The aim is to discuss your emotional difficulties, make links with past experiences and their impact on current relationships to help you to find a way through these difficulties whilst providing emotional support in a safe place to explore and reflect.
What is EMDR? Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing – EMDR - has been successfully used to effectively treat a wide range of mental health problems including: trauma, PTSD, cPSTD, anxiety, panic attacks, depression, stress, phobias, OCD, pain relief, self-esteem, sleep problems, loss and complicated grief. It is a way of utilising the mind to heal and recover naturally in the same way the body does. Much of our natural healing and coping mechanisms occur during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Francine Shapiro 1987, developed EMDR by utilising this natural process in order to successfully treat trauma related symptoms. Similar to using a cast or crutches to aid the body back to recovery, EMDR assists the mind to heal back to recovery. There may be scars but you can gain your life back. EMDR utilises this natural healing ability to process past traumatic events to help you break through the emotional blocks that are keeping you from living an emotionally healthy life. Described as an adaptive Information processing model, the brains information processing system is stimulated to facilitate a more adaptive resolution of distressing material, resulting in reduced emotional charge to that traumatic memory.
EMDR is an 8 Phased Protocol Phase 1 An in-depth History Assessment is taken and a treatment plan collaboratively drawn up. Phase 2 Psycho-education and stabilisation skills are introduced to use within and between sessions. Phase 3 The particular disturbing memory is explored with the concomitant negative thoughts, feelings, experiences along with the positive and desired adaptive resolution required. Phase 4 Rapid Eye Movement (EMs), using bilateral stimulation are recreated, such as a bar of moving lights or headphones, alternated with brief reports of thoughts, images and feelings that arise during EMs. You are encouraged to allow the brain to do its work and continue processing until the past disturbing experience adapts to a present perspective. The memory changes in such a way it becomes desensitised and loses its intensity simply becoming a neutral past memory. Phase 5, we install new insights and perspectives into your daily life. Phase 6 A Body Scan clears any residual somatic feelings left over. Phase 7 Closes that target memory. Phase 8 Re-evaluates any other associated memories that may heal at the same time.
What is Transference-focused psychotherapy? TFP is an extension of psychoanalytically informed psychodynamic psychotherapy designed to help individuals with personality disorders (PDs) by utilising the relationship between the therapist and the patient to explore and understand emotions, thoughts, and behaviours. The core focus is on the therapeutic relationship through the lens of exploring the patients defences such as splitting defences which involve seeing things in extremes, all good or all bad. defences are used as coping mechanisms for conflicting emotions about something or someone they find difficult to manage or intolerable. External and internal dyadic relationships are identified as they appear in the therapeutic relationship to engage the process of 'working through' that leads to a more integrated cohesive sense of self and identity, promoting emotional stability. The primary goals of TFP are to facilitate psychological growth and promote healthy ways of relating to oneself, others and the world around you. TFP is primarily designed to treat individuals with personality disorders, namely Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and Narcissistic Personality Disorder.
Why should I choose a therapist? You could seek counselling for many different reasons. You may be aware of feelings or aspects of your behaviour which interfere with your capacity to live a satisfying life. You may be severely affected by a personal crisis, such as divorce, redundancy or bereavement, relationship breakdown. Whatever the source of your lack of ease, comfort, or optimal functioning, that is causing you psychological distress, psychotherapy implies a wish to think about and understand painful feelings in order for you to achieve a more satisfying resolution.
How can therapy help me? Psychotherapy can help you gain a deeper understanding of your problems and the experiences that gave rise to them. Psychotherapy takes place in the context of a relationship with your therapist. The aim is for new and better resolutions of understanding problems, leading to a greater capacity for satisfaction in relationships, work, social and life events. The aim is to help and support you discover what is going on in your life and to unravel any repeated patterns of behaviours that are no longer serving you well. This helps to gain insight and clarity into who you are and gain greater autonomy and control of your life.
In keeping with the my BACP Ethical Guidelines, I do not offer a medical diagnostic service as I am not a medical practitioner. I may offer a therapeutic hypothesis of your difficulties, collaboratively created in therapy, based on a formulation of an evidence-based assessment and evaluation tool and strategy. This helps guide the Treatment Plan and establish your goals within the therapeutic frame. This psycho-diagnostic impression is dynamic and may adapt with the progress of therapy. You are always entitled to a second opinion. Should you request a medical mental health diagnosis you are advised to consult your GP, psychiatrist, clinical psychologist, or medical expert in that field. I may offer a referral service if a diagnosis is requested.
For counselling and psychotherapy Putney SW15, South West London, Southampton SO30, Hampshire please see contact page...
Counselling and psychotherapy Putney SW15, South West London, Southampton SO30, Hampshire
