What is Counselling?

Counselling is a talking therapy that helps people who are feeling distressed, upset or suffering from mental health issues. It offers a safe, confidential place to explore things that are bothering them through talking, and perhaps drawing or using other props and techniques.

The aim of the process is to help you find ways of managing and of healing, perhaps by seeing things in a different way, or by gaining a deeper understanding of what is happening or has happened to you. In this way counselling helps people can come to terms with difficult situations or learn to think about things in a different way.

It usually involves talking about the feelings surrounding the issue as well as the facts of what has actually happened. Counsellors are trained to listen and to ask questions that help people gain insights into their feelings.

Types of Counselling

There are different types of counselling and different approaches. Some offer a fixed number of sessions whilst others will negotiate with the client to find out how counselling might work best for them.

Herne Hill Counselling offers a type of counselling that is largely Person Centred. This approach is based on the work of Carl Rogers and lets the client progress the work at their own pace. Also person centred counselling works on the belief that each person has the knowledge they need within themselves – counselling is there to help them find and use that knowledge.

My approach uses these principles but includes tools from other approaches such as Gestalt and Psychosynthesis as well as incorporating any spiritual beliefs that a client may wish to bring.

I also use the principles of eco-therapy where appropriate which uses the benefits of the natural world to help people maintain good mental health. I am a member of the BACP and work according to their ethical code of conduct.