Therapy with me
How do I work?
My approach to therapy is person-centred. This means that I believe that you are the expert on yourself and your own life. I aim to learn about you and how you see the world.
I practise Compassionate Inquiry in sessions, an approach based on the work of Dr Gabor Mate. We’ll explore your core stories together. This includes the story you tell yourself without thinking, your beliefs, and their origins.
I will share what I hear and see, adding comments when needed. Hearing yourself can be very powerful.
I see my role as your companion on this journey. You can let go of the stories that no longer serve you. You can also release their hold on you. Then, you’ll discover your own resources, abilities, and independence. This will help you create lasting changes in your life.
FAQs
It’s normal to have a lot of questions when starting therapy. Here are some answers you may be looking for.
How can therapy help me?
Therapy gives you a safe and private place to work through tough feelings. Talking about things gives them shape. When you know what you’re feeling and why, you can decide how to move forward. You might find new ways to handle your feelings. Or, you could choose to change how you think and act. This can lead to a better quality of life.
Therapy can help you to:
- Process and express painful emotions in a relationship that is supportive and non-judgmental
- Gain deeper insight into the issues you face, as well as your sense of self, values and goals
- Improve relationships in your life, including with yourself
- Heal from traumatic experiences
- Develop new perspectives and learn to communicate better with others
I don’t feel like I have a major problem. Can I still benefit from therapy?
Yes. You don’t need to be in a mental health crisis or have a diagnosed mental illness to benefit from therapy. Therapy is useful for self-exploration. Talking to someone outside your situation can help you figure out what you want in life. It can also show you the strengths you already have to achieve your goals.
Some people believe therapy is a last resort. They think you should manage on your own unless things get really bad. But this isn’t true. Talking to a therapist before you’re at a crisis point can be really helpful. It might feel easier to reflect on what’s going on, and could help keep things from getting worse.
How will I know if therapy is working?
Put simply, therapy is working when you notice change in your life and start to feel better. Here are some signs that therapy is making a difference:
- You bounce back more easily from mistakes or bad days.
- You notice positive changes in your mood, thoughts or behaviour patterns.
- You’re aware of and feel emotions, both joyous and painful.
- Your relationships are more satisfying.
- You have more hope and a greater sense of possibility.
Many people start to feel better relatively quickly once they connect with a therapist. Therapy often involves talking about painful feelings, memories, or behaviour patterns that may have been pushed aside or avoided before. As you confront these issues, you may temporarily feel worse before you feel better.
Making changes in therapy often requires being open to trying new ways to handle stress. It can be scary to try out new behaviours or ways of thinking, and they may not work out perfectly at first.
Why would I talk with a therapist instead of a friend?
Our friendships can be some of the most meaningful relationships in our lives. Your friends often understand you in ways no one else can, you trust them, and they are helpful. However, talking to a therapist is different than talking to a friend.
A therapist has the professional training to help you grow and develop as a person. They will ask smart questions. This will help you focus on the key parts of your experiences. It will also help you discover the reasons for your thoughts, beliefs, and actions.
A therapist stays objective. They have no emotional stake or interest in your decisions. They offer a fresh view that your friends might miss. They will listen to understand you better. You can be more open and honest with a therapist than with a friend. You won’t worry about hurting their feelings.
Finally, a therapist’s time and attention are solely focused on you and your feelings. Friendship doesn’t offer the indulgence of focusing only on ourselves. Even if our friends promise to keep your secret, it might still get out one day. A therapist must keep what you share in therapy confidential, with few exceptions.
Session details
I am based in Great Missenden (HP16), Amersham (HP7) & Berkhamsted (HP4).
I offer in-person and online sessions from my therapy spaces in Amersham and Berkhamsted. Day and evening appointments are available.
Sessions are 50 minutes long. Each session is £65.00.