• Being listened to by someone, who is trained to help, can help you feel less alone and isolated.
• A counsellor will accept you for who you are and listen in an unconditional, non-judgmental way.
• Counselling can help you rebuild a trusting relationship with another, by providing you with a safe, confidential space to talk about your problems, doubts and fears.
• You will be able to understand that your body sends you signals to tell you that things don’t feel right . Some of these feelings can be overwhelming and scary. A counsellor can help you to understand what your body is trying to communicate to you.
• You may have grown up internalising beliefs such as you’re not good enough, clever enough, lovable. You may have been called selfish, whenever you tried to put yourself first. You may feel that you have to be perfect. These are what we call ‘Conditions of Worth’ (things you have been told by others). You may start to believe that this is really you. Counselling can help you understand them as messages you received when you were growing up and help you see them from a different perspective.
• Everyone carries forward themes and patterns , which are based on earlier experiences . Together , we will uncover the negative thought patterns that you have about yourself and work towards transforming them into more positive belief systems, which will enable you to live in a more life-affirming way .
Negative beliefs are always fear-based and can keep you stuck in survival states. Here you will experience anxious and depressive symptoms and will look for coping mechanisms to help you manage this hyperarousal . The aim of therapy is to help you identify the patterns, which cause the symptoms and resulting behaviour , and shift your perspective from one of powerlessness to authentically owning your own power in a nurturing and compassionate way .