I use a non-judgmental and empathetic approach. I use a Positive Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), solution-focused counselling approach that views the person as more than just the mind, body and the personality and incorporates positive psychology research and transpersonal factors. Transpersonal means beyond the personal or beyond the ego.​​​​​​​

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​I focus on the individual’s strengths and possible solutions, rather than focusing on what is "wrong."

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Sessions can entail: 

- Acknowledging Feelings and Experiences that you have had. This can help one to build a kinder and more compassionate view of themselves and of the situation.
- Shifting the Attention. We might view past situations while identifying strengths and values that you used (rather than focusing on problems and failures). This can help to develop more positive perceptions and self-appreciation. 
- Exploration of Future Goals – We can identify possibilities, solutions, and alternatives instead of fixating on the problems.
- Challenge Unhelpful Beliefs – We may identify limiting belief systems and behaviors/patterns so that you can increase positive views of yourself and the world. 

- Incorporating and developing kinder self-perspectives – Discovering and developing self-compassion, self-appreciation, self-kindness and also empathy, compassion, patience and kindness for others. At times we may discuss life purpose or period purpose and the idea of being of service to others. These have been found to be sources of resilience. 

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Sessions are solutions-focused. I may guide clients towards inwardly focusing, guided imagery may be used, mindfulness, affirmations and exploration of emotions can take place during sessions. I will often introduce positive psychology elements such as strengths, self-compassion, growth mindset, self-talk, process praise and mindfulness.

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I tailor each session to each particular client, while always staying focused on the best outcomes in relation to his or her goals and challenges. 

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Why do people book counselling sessions?

For many reasons including:

Support work for building capacity for social participation

Relationship difficulties (romantic relationships and family tensions especially)

Juggling the stress of every day living during Covid

Support in coping with health problems

Work stress

Depression and anxiety

Exploration of the mind-body-spirit connection in relation to health conditions

Stress of caring for elderly parents

To help achieve goals

To gain clarity and make decisions (I guide people to find answers within)

To address emotional upheavals that they are experiencing

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Person-Centered Counselling and Coaching... Different, and Yet the Same?

According to Professor Stephen Joseph, Carl Rogers "introduced the term 'counselling' but he might equally have used the term "coaching" because in person-centered practice these terms are  interchangeable. The current use of these two terms reflects the prevalent medical model ideology (Joseph, 2006)."

 

He goes on to write: "The development of different terminology, such as counselling versus coaching, to describe people at different points on the spectrum of psychological functioning reflects the pervasive medical model conception that helping people in distress is different from helping people achieve well-being. It must be emphasized that the way in which professional organizations have developed to deal with people at different points on the spectrum ultimately reflects a a social construction of human functioning that is grounded in a medical model and ideology of illness. From the person-centered perspective, there is no boundary between coaching and counselling. Thus, person-centered coaching is the same activity, requiring the same theoretical base, the same skills and a high level of personal development as those required for person-centered counselling. There is no theoretical distinction from the perspective of person-centered approach between the process of coaching and that of counselling."

 

And also: "If the public understanding is that counselling is about looking back in life at what has gone wrong, whereas coaching is about looking forward to what can go right, different people with different issues will be attracted to counselling rather than to coaching."

 

He also states, "it may be that the coach chooses to use the term "coaching" deliberately to provide a platform for clients who are embarrassed to meet with a counsellor. An example is a case where police officers were offered counselling sessions in the aftermath of a critical incident. Few took up the opportunity. Following the next critical incident, the officers were offered coaching, which was taken up. What they were being offered was person-centered in both cases, but the term "coaching" was less stigmatizing than the term 'counselling.' For person-centrered practitioners, where the terminology is interchangeable, which term is used is likely to reflect the context of employment."
 

From the book The Complete Book of Coaching 2nd ed., Chapter 4, pp 61 - 62

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