How therapy works?
The therapeutic relationship that can be built is a key ingredient in how useful – or not – the sessions are.
Some people need a therapist who provides a consistent, loving, trustworthy presence to counteract a lack of safe, dependable, healthy connections growing up or currently in their life. Others require a therapist who they can turn to as a relational resource when they need to express their emotion burdens and figure things out that are baffling or unbearable to do alone.
Why I would need therapy?
People seeking therapy often want something in their life to change. They want to stop suffering and they want to make sense of their dilemmas so it can propel them towards making better choices in their life. Change is always a decision we make moment by moment and therefore can always alter. It takes the practice of living well inside our choices that allows our lives to feel more harmonious. Therapy can be a good resource for this vital life practice.
What to expect during psychosexual therapy?
Psychosexual therapy involves gradually changing behaviours that maintain sexual difficulties. If a client is in an intimate relationship, it is usually preferable that they attend with their partner, as it is often helpful to understand how both parties may be contributing to the problem. However, this is not always necessary, depending on the problem and the individual circumstances. The initial assessment is used to ascertain a basic idea about the nature of the problem. If a client is currently in an intimate relationship, I will also ask to see the partner alone to ask the same questions to try to gain a complete understanding of the problem. I will discuss the formulation with the client and partner, provide education on sexual response cycles and on the specifics of the presenting problem.
How Relationship Therapy works?
Most people come for relationship therapy wanting the other person, or people, to love them in the way they prefer to be loved and for their partner, lover, family member to change in ways that would benefit them. Thus, one of the first tasks of relationship therapy is to encourage each person to express their own thoughts, feelings and experiences. Then to attempt to understand the other person’s perspective.
How often will I need to come to counselling?
Many people like a weekly session to begin with but then reduce sessions to fortnightly or longer. Some people only feel they need to come once or twice while others attend for much longer. Sometimes people also take a break and then return as necessary.
Where possible, you can book several sessions at once to ensure a regular slot or book from one session to the next, fitting the timings round work patterns and personal needs.
Single session therapy is available both for one-off appointments and as an occasional top off.
Can I bring someone with me?
I see couples and families and you can even bring a friend if you wish, but everyone who comes must be registered with their personal details, just in case of emergencies.