About Therapy
Opening up about personal issues can feel uncomfortable, and it may seem easier to just carry on and hope things get better. However, that doesn't often work for long and they resurface. Therapy offers a safe, confidential space where you'll be listened to without judgment, and together, we can work through the issues you're facing.
Why People Seek Therapy
People come to therapy for many reasons. Some are dealing with long-term mental health issues like anxiety, panic attacks, or depression, while others are processing bereavement, coping with the loss of a loved one, or managing major life changes. Therapy is also helpful for those struggling with intrusive thoughts, procrastination, ADHD-related challenges, or relationship difficulties. Whatever the reason, therapy can help you gain a better understanding of yourself and improve your relationships.
Issues I Help Clients With:
- Past and present abuse
- Anxiety, stress, and panic attacks
- Bereavement, grief, and loss
- Chronic pain
- Depression and low mood
- Family problems and parenting issues
- Feeling stuck, lost, numb, or confused
- Loneliness and isolation
- Low self-esteem and self-confidence
- Negative thinking and obsessional thoughts
- Procrastination and ADHD-related difficulties
- Redundancy, work stress, and career challenges
- Relationship problems
- Self-harm
- Sleep difficulties
- Suicidal thoughts
How Therapy Can Help
Therapy provides a non-judgmental, compassionate space where you can begin to explore your thoughts and emotions, whether you're dealing with deep-rooted mental health concerns or simply feeling lost and uncertain about what to do and how to make changes. My aim is to support you through this process, helping you understand yourself better and work towards meaningful change.
Therapeutic Approaches
As an Integrative Therapist, I use several theoretical approaches to tailor therapy to your individual needs. These methods provide different insights and tools to help you better understand your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, guiding you toward personal growth and improved well-being.
Transactional Analysis (TA)
Transactional Analysis (TA) is a psychological framework that helps us understand human behaviour and communication. It examines the interactions, or "transactions," between individuals and how these are influenced by our internal states. In TA, we explore three core ego states that shape our personalities:
- Parent: Represents authority and learned behaviours, often reflecting the influence of parents or caregivers.
- Adult: Represents rational thinking and decision-making, allowing for objective assessments of situations.
- Child: Reflects emotions, desires, and instincts, often influenced by childhood experiences.
By identifying these ego states, we can better understand our patterns of thinking and behaviour. TA encourages open communication and healthier relationship dynamics, allowing you to modify unhelpful behaviours and develop stronger, more positive interactions in your daily life.
Person-Centred Therapy (PC)
Person-Centred Therapy is a non-directive approach that places you at the heart of the therapeutic process. This approach is based on the belief that you have the innate ability to understand yourself and grow personally. In a supportive, judgment-free environment, you can freely explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences.
The therapist provides empathy, unconditional positive regard, and a genuine understanding to foster trust and safety. This therapeutic relationship allows you to gain deeper insights into your emotions, uncover your true self, and develop greater self-awareness, confidence, and the ability to make meaningful changes in your life.
Gestalt Therapy
Gestalt Therapy focuses on the "here and now," encouraging personal awareness and responsibility. This experiential approach helps you explore your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours as they occur in the present moment.
Gestalt Therapy emphasizes how past experiences influence your current behaviours and emotional responses. By becoming more aware of your sensations and actions, you can better understand your patterns of thinking and relating to others. Techniques such as role-playing and visualization may be used to help you express your emotions and gain clarity. The goal is to foster self-acceptance, authenticity, and empower you to live a more fulfilling life by making conscious choices.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a structured, goal-oriented therapeutic approach that focuses on the connection between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. The foundation of CBT is that our thoughts greatly influence how we feel and behave. By identifying and challenging negative or unhelpful thought patterns, you can create positive changes in your emotions and actions.
Through CBT, you'll learn practical strategies to manage stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues by shifting your perspective and adopting healthier thought processes.
Starting Therapy: What to Expect Before Your First Session
Initial Consultation
Before your first therapy session, we'll begin with an initial telephone consultation. This step helps us both determine if we're a good fit for working together. Building a strong, comfortable relationship with your therapist is key to making the most out of therapy, so it's important to choose someone you feel confident with.
The Assessment Process
If we decide to work together, I'll send you an assessment form to complete before our first session. This form covers important details like:
- Your contact information
- Your GP's address
- Areas you're currently struggling with
- A bit of your personal history
This assessment is crucial in ensuring that we can work safely and effectively together. It also gives me a clearer understanding of your background and the challenges you're facing before we meet, allowing us to begin talking about what is important to you from the first session.
Completing the Assessment
You are welcome to complete the parts of the form you feel most comfortable with, and we can review the rest during our sessions. Please send it back to me before our first session so we can make the most of our time together.
Online vs. Face-to-Face Therapy
Online Sessions: If we're working together online, I'll send you a Zoom link on the morning of your scheduled session. Please make sure you have a private, quiet space to talk without interruptions.
Face-to-Face Sessions: For in-person sessions, please arrive a few minutes early and wait in the reception area. I'll meet you there before your scheduled time.
Schedule a Consultation
If you're ready to start therapy or have any questions, please get in touch to arrange an initial consultation. Taking that first step can be daunting, but I'm here to support you every step of the way.
Next steps
Find UK helplines and resources for mental health, crisis support, and well-being
Find answers to common questions about therapy
You can do something
If you'd like things to change, contact Becka for a free 15-minute consultation: