Counselling Services

Every person has a unique story.  The way you tell that story has an impact on your self-worth and your future.  Working through the story of who you are, your roles, your beliefs and values; can help you to identify hidden strengths that you never thought possible.  Let's journey together as we decode and reconstruct your identity in a way that positions you for a preferred future. 

Depression can be exhausting and paralysing.  I can help you to find strategies that work to alleviate the symptoms of depression.  Often, depression can be caused or intensified by underlying trauma or unhelpful patterns of behaviour and beliefs.  Let's unravel what might be happening for you and come up with a customised holistic plan to beat depression.

Anxiety can show up in many ways (withdrawal, anger, nervousness, etc.)  and the results can prevent you from fully stepping into all that life has to offer.  In working through anxiety, we are able to uncover the underlying issues that may be at play.  There are some helpful tools to recognise and capitalise on the powerful mind-body connection.  Counselling is an important aspect of a holistic approach to anxiety.

Loss of a loved one is a traumatic experience and the grief associated with this can make one feel stuck in feelings of pain.  No matter where you are in your grief journey, professional empathic support to manage grief can be beneficial to your functioning.  Any change can produce feelings of grief and loss - losing a loved one or pet, pregnancy loss / infertility, immigrating / moving, job loss, retirement / change of circumstances, etc.  I can support you through these changes, helping you to find hope.

 Why are some people affected by trauma and others seem to move forward more quickly?  In counselling we aim to process some of the effects of trauma within a safe physical space and relationship, at your own pace. Traumatic events can impact us in ways that affect our functioning and the way we engage in relationships.  The emotional and physical response to trauma can often be alleviated when we are made to feel safe within our bodies and in relationship to someone who provides non-judgemental listening and care.   

Addiction is usually a symptom of other issues that may be causing distress.  It can be helpful to co-research these underlying issues in counselling.  Uncovering and processing can be the first step towards identifying the life that you long to live - and working towards it.  As well as this, finding tools and techniques to manage addictive behaviours and urges, may be helpful within a supportive counselling relationship.  In conjunction with other supports such as AA or NA / support groups, personal counselling is critical to recovery.

Couples counselling can be one of the best investments of time and resources in a relationship.  Whether you are experiencing a storm or simply wanting an authentic check-in in a neutral safe environment, it's absolutely worth the effort.  Partners each bring their own history and shaping to relationships.  Stepping out of the day-to-day and learning more about the 'why's' behind partners' behaviours, can help couples identify tools for overcoming obstacles and for better communication.

I am happy to work with LGBT+ clients.

Parenting is one of the most important job roles we will ever undertake.  It can be hard sometimes however, the rewards from perseverance and a commitment to growth as parents, can add incredible meaning and purpose to our lives.  Children benefit from intentional parents who invest themselves in ongoing learning of parenting styles and strategies.  Counselling can help you to find a style that fits with your and your child / adolescent's personality and values - whilst taking account of the latest in proven neuroscientific approaches.

Separation or divorce can be a painful and chaotic experience.  It can also be a relief.  It is worth exploring the complex set of emotions associated with the break-up of a relationship.  Working through feelings of grief and loss when venturing into a new chapter of life can help to make the experience less traumatic.  The emotional support provided through counselling can help to offset some of the unpredictable practicalities that often occur as a result of a break-up.

One of the most common issues expressed by my clients in counselling, is that of complex family relationships.  Whether it be dealing with extended family or those within the home, it is helpful to unpack one's thoughts and feelings that may impact these relationships.  My work is informed by a family systems approach, meaning that family members all affect one another.  Working on oneself can help to inform responses in family situations, and alleviate distress.