My approach to therapy
Good listeners are rare. Also rare is someone who can listen from a deep and broad understanding.
With both a background working within NHS mental health services as a doctor for over 25 years, and being a person-centred therapist for almost the same length of time, listening has been the core of my working life. It has given me an understanding of the range of pain and emotional distress people can experience, the diverse social and cultural backgrounds from which it arises and is influenced by, and a wealth of observations of what supports and helps people.
There are a great variety of types of counselling and psychotherapy and it may not be easy to decide who to approach for help. What will you receive from me?
The therapy I provide is informed by my training in the Person-Centred Approach (PCA) which was developed by Carl Rogers in the middle of the 20th century. This approach assumes that human beings have a natural tendency to grow and develop and will do so in a constructive way in favourable conditions and relationships. I therefore place key emphasis on the quality of the therapeutic relationship and I aim to provide a warm, acceptant understanding, openness, honesty and authenticity. On receiving these, clients may experience greater self-understanding, self-acceptance and compassion towards aspects of themselves they have struggled with. Another possible outcome is a sense of deeper meaning and purpose. To me, therapy at its best is a shared, unfolding process, and I believe in the value of trusting the client to take the lead on what to explore and focus on.
It’s the relationship that heals.
Irvin D Yalom
The person-centred approach can be helpful for a wide range of issues, difficulties and forms of distress and I am often able to work with people whose distress and difficulty may be particularly severe and complex. I do not focus on diagnostic labels or treating specific symptoms. However, I can bring to my work my knowledge and experience of psychiatry and mental healthcare settings, which includes knowledge about psychiatric diagnosis and psychiatric drugs, and also how such experiences for some people may not have been helpful or even harmful. I am particularly interested in how people come to make sense of things themselves and what they discover can be a strength and help. I also view body, mind and soul as an integrated whole and I try to be open to many perspectives and paths to understanding and healing.
Many people know the reasons why they are seeking therapy, but for others it is not very clear what they either want or need and it may take time for this to emerge. In the first session we will explore what the focus of our work might be and we can get a sense of what meeting together might feel like. There is no obligation to arrange any further sessions after this first meeting.
I work with individual, adult clients and also trainee counsellors and psychotherapists.
Particular areas I can work with include
- Loss and grief
- Struggle with emotions, mood, anxiety and other forms of mental disturbance
- Relationship difficulties
- Sexuality and issues related to gender
- Life transitions and facing important decisions
- Questions of meaning, purpose and identity
- Spiritual and religious questions and concerns
How I can help
I offer therapy to adult individuals and sessions last an hour and are typically weekly for as long as the therapy is experienced as helpful. I work in Gloucester, seeing people face to face and online.
Please contact me if you would like a brief 10-15 minute telephone conversation (no charge) to explore whether what I provide might be suitable for you and any practical considerations. Alternatively, we can simply arrange a full 60 minute initial session.
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I am a Registered Member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP). I therefore abide by the BACP’s ethical framework. I have regular supervision and engage in a number of professional activities as part of continuing professional development.