Tel: 07871 526 826
WHAT IS COUNSELLING?
What is counselling?
Beginning counselling can feel like a big step.
You may be unsure what to expect, wonder what you will talk about, or feel uncertain about whether counselling is right for you.
Counselling offers a confidential space to pause, reflect and explore what is happening in your life with someone who listens carefully, asks thoughtful questions and supports you without judgement.
You do not need to arrive with the right words or a clear understanding of what you are experiencing.
Sometimes it begins simply by talking about what has been difficult.
What happens during counselling?
Every person’s experiences, relationships and circumstances are unique, so no two counselling journeys are exactly the same.
During our sessions, we will explore what feels most important to you. This may be something happening in your life now, a relationship that is causing difficulty, a recurring pattern, or experiences from the past that continue to affect you.
Sometimes talking openly brings relief. At other times, counselling may involve exploring difficult emotions, long-held beliefs or questions that do not have easy answers.
There is no pressure to share more than you are ready to share.
We will work together at a pace that feels manageable and appropriate for you.
My approach to counselling
I work as an integrative counsellor, drawing on a range of evidence-based approaches and adapting my work to your individual needs.
My approach is influenced by attachment theory, trauma-informed practice and compassionate approaches to emotional wellbeing.
I believe that our thoughts, emotions, reactions and ways of coping often make more sense when we understand the experiences and relationships that have shaped us.
Counselling can help us become curious about those experiences—not to remain stuck in the past, but to understand ourselves more fully and consider what may be possible now.
Depending on what matters to you, counselling may involve exploring the past, making sense of present difficulties, strengthening relationships or thinking about how you want to move forward.
What counselling isn't
Counselling is not about being told how to live your life.
It is not about being judged, criticised or given simple answers.
Nor is it about trying to “fix” you.
Counselling is a collaborative process. We work together to understand your experiences, explore what may be keeping you stuck and help you develop a clearer, more compassionate relationship with yourself.
Taking the first step
Reaching out can feel daunting, particularly if you have never spoken to a counsellor before.
I provide professional counselling for adults in Magherafelt and the surrounding Mid Ulster area, with online counselling available throughout Northern Ireland.
An initial appointment gives us an opportunity to meet, talk about what has brought you to counselling and consider whether working together feels like the right fit.
You do not need to have everything worked out before getting in touch.
Sometimes making sense of your story begins with a conversation.
What can counselling help with?
People come to counselling for many different reasons.
You may be experiencing:
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Anxiety or excessive worry
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Depression or low mood
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Stress or burnout
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Trauma or difficult life experiences
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Grief and loss
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Low self-esteem
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Shame
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Relationship difficulties
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Life transitions or personal change
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Loss of confidence
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Feeling stuck, disconnected or uncertain
Sometimes there is no single problem to explain.
You may simply have a growing sense that life feels harder than it used to, or that something needs to change.
That can be a meaningful reason to seek support.