Types of Counselling

Here is a list of the therapies we provide. Click on the subject you'd like to know more about (such as hypno-birthing), for a brief explanation. If a therapy you would like to consider is not in this list, do contact us as we might be able to put you in touch with a therapist who can help.

Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT)

CBT is by far the most practical of the talking therapies. It can help you change how you think (cognitive) about yourself, the world and other people, and shows you how what you do (behaviour) affects your thoughts and feelings — to help you feel better. Unlike some of the other talking treatments, instead of focusing on causes in the past, it looks for ways to improve your state of mind now. Clients learn ways to change thoughts and expectations, including by using relaxation techniques. CBT can be effective for stress-related conditions, phobias, obsessions, eating disorders and (with drug treatment) major depression.

Counselling

There is no clear distinction between counselling and psychotherapy; both are talking therapies that allow people to explore feelings and emotions and the effect they have on their lives. In private practice, counselling might be best for clients with everyday problems while psychotherapy might be more appropriate for clients with severe symptoms. In reality, however, many clients are likely to receive a blend.

Existential counselling

Existentialists believe that life has no essential (given) meaning: any meaning has to be found or created. Existential counselling involves making sense of life through a personal world view and includes a willingness to face one's life and life problems. (Source: BACP)

Gestalt therapy

The name is derived from the German word for 'organised whole'. Developed by Fritz Perls, it is based on his belief that the human response to experiences is summed up in a person's thoughts, feelings and actions. The client gains self-awareness by analysing behaviour and body language and giving expression to repressed feelings. Treatment often includes acting out scenarios and dream recall. (Source: BACP)

Humanistic psychotherapy

This embraces techniques coming from the 'personal growth movement' and encourages people to explore their feelings and take responsibility for their thoughts and actions. Emphasis is on self-development and achieving highest potential rather than dysfunctional behaviour. 'Client-centred' or 'non-directive' approach is often used and the therapy can be described as 'holistic'. The client's creative instincts may be used to explore and resolve personal issues. (Source: BACP)

Hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy aims to re-programme the mind and therefore change behaviour and beliefs. It involves entering a trance-like state at a point where your conscious mind becomes suppressed and your unconscious mind is released. You are in a heightened state of awareness throughout but concentrating on the therapist's voice, not engaged in the inner dialogue we all have with ourselves. You will be open to suggestion so that new thoughts can be introduced and behaviour changed. Hypnotherapy can be a particularly effective treatment for fears and phobias, addictions, panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive behaviour, stress-related problems such as insomnia, and pain management including during surgery and childbirth.

Integrative counselling

This is more of an approach than a specific form of therapy. Several forms of counselling and psychotherapy are used together, rather than separately, depending on the client's needs. Our approach generally is integrative though there will be occasions when clients will receive one distinct therapeutic treatment.

Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP)

NLP combines cognitive behavioural and humanistic therapies with hypnotherapy. It works on the theory that life experiences, from birth onwards, programme the way a person sees the world. The practitioner helps the client to discover how he/she has learnt to think or feel so that they can take control of their actions. The client is taught how to change speech and body language in order to communicate better and bring about personal change. (Source: BACP)

Person-centred counselling

Devised by Carl Rogers and also called 'client-centred' or 'Rogerian' counselling, this is based on the assumption that an individual (client), seeking help in the resolution of a problem he/she is experiencing, can enter into a relationship with another individual (counsellor) who is sufficiently accepting and permissive to allow the client to express emotions and feelings freely. This will enable the client to come to terms with negative feelings, which may have caused emotional problems, and develop inner resources. The objective is for the client to become able to perceive themselves as a person, with the power and freedom to change, rather than as an object. (Source: BACP)

Psychotherapy

There is no clear distinction between psychotherapy and counselling; both are talking therapies that allow people to explore feelings and emotions and the effect they have on their lives. In private practice, psychotherapy might be best for clients with more severe symptoms while counselling might be more appropriate for clients with everyday problems. In reality, however, many clients are likely to receive a blend.

Psychoanalytical therapy

This is based on the work of Sigmund Freud who believed that the unacceptable thoughts of early childhood are banished to the unconscious mind but continue to influence thoughts, emotions and behaviour. 'Repressed' feelings can surface later as conflicts, depression, etc, or through dreams or creative activities. The analyst seeks to interpret, and make acceptable to the client's conscious mind, troublesome feelings and relationships from the past. 'Transference' onto the analyst, of feelings about figures in the client's life, is encouraged. This type of therapy is often used with clients suffering high levels of stress and can be a lengthy and intensive process. (Source: BACP)

Psychodynamic therapy

This approach stresses the importance of the unconscious and past experience in determining current behaviour. The client is encouraged to talk about childhood relationships with parents and other significant people and the therapist focuses on the client/therapist relationship (the dynamics) and in particular on the transference. Transference is when the client projects onto the therapist feelings experienced in previous significant relationships. The psychodynamic approach is derived from psychoanalysis but usually provides a quicker solution to emotional problems. (Source: BACP)

Our approach

We take an holistic approach – often blending therapies together – so that each client receives what works best for them. This is called integrative counselling. When clients come to us with an idea of what they need, we always recommend that we discuss the options first so we can reach a joint decision about what would be most effective.

Some issues are more deep-rooted than others. And some are more complex than they seem at first. We are flexible and will recommend changes to any agreed programme if we think that would be better for you.

Whatever we agree, our service is confidential and discreet. We never disclose the names of our clients or talk about them to third parties. Although we have included on this website comments from clients, none of them includes the client's full name or exact location.

We help individuals, couples and groups of any age, including children and young adults. Many of our clients are in their 30s and 40s, when life can be especially difficult to cope with, but our emotions can be challenging at any age and stage of life and our mental health and well-being can be affected by experiences and events that happen at any age.

If you would like to find out if we could help you, we invite you to contact us.

Call 403-265-2502

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