Therapy with me
Therapy needs to be tailored to you and your own needs.
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We all need some support when we are dealing with distress and difficulties in our lives, it can be hard to manage on our own.
Entering into therapy can be useful for many problems such as depression, anxiety, coping with traumatic events as well as difficulties at home, in the workplace or in particular relationships.
Therapy may also be useful as a tool for personal or professional development and not just for those in crisis, it can be used to review what is working well and further areas for growth.
Children and young people may benefit from working through key transitional periods in their lives. Especially where they begin to feel overwhelmed by new situations and emotions they have little experience of yet.
Whatever the reason for entering into therapy it can be helpful on so many levels and as a therapist I have experience of working with a variety of these issues.
I provide counselling therapy for children, young people and adults in a variety of ways, always from a person-centred place.
There are lots of ways we can work together, it’s your choice
Talking therapy is at the heart of most counselling practice and this is probably what comes to mind when you think about therapy.
I offer a safe, non-judgmental space to talk, share and explore the issues that matter to you.
You are always at the heart of all therapeutic work. Working this way helps you to achieve better self-awareness, strengthens your trust in yourself as well as others.
Which in turn develops overall self-autonomy and authenticity in your decision making.
Online or Telephone Therapy
In addition to face-face client work I offer telephone and online video counselling through Zoom or Discord.
How you choose to work is up to entirely up to you, you’re in charge.
Some clients prefer to work in one way exclusively. But some prefer the choice of different options at different times, depending on what is going on for them in their busy lives.
Having flexibility to work over the telephone or online means that you don’t have to live in or around Harrogate to work with me. I have clients from other parts of the UK or who are living abroad.
All you need is an internet connection, a quiet place where you feel safe and yourself. I also work in the evenings so if you need to take work or caring responsibilites into account, we can work around that too.
Walk and Talk Therapy
I offer walk and talk outside, which for some is an appealing option. It can be the preferred way of having sessions or in addition to other ways of working together.
Eco-therapy is a growing area and has been increasingly in demand following the recent pandemic. In part as a reaction to having to spend more time indoors and as a potentially safer way to work due to minimised contact.
Nature is its own therapy room and has the additional benefits of reducing isolation, inducing feelings of relaxation and improving physical health.
Taking therapy outdoors allows us to work with metaphor in nature and has grounding benefits for those who struggle to be in the in the moment.
The movement in walking utilises both sides of the body encouraging bilateral stimulation which is the engagement of both the left and right side of the brain which has a relaxing affect, increases attentional flexibility (allows us to find solutions), decreases worry and has a distancing affect allowing us to reduce the scale of issues.
For some clients walking side by side outside can help reduce anxiety as there is less need for eye-eye contact. For those that struggle to express themselves or who feel they are not ready to open up straight away, walking takes the pressure off and is therapeutic on its own.
Completing a particular route or distance can also help to improve confidence and the feeling of achievement.
Walk and talk sessions take place at RHS Harlow Carr where I hold membership and can take a guest, around Valley Gardens and the Pinewoods as well as Fewston or Swinsty Reservoir.
Longer walk and talk or more challenging routes can be accommodated when planned in advance.
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Creative Therapy
Working creatively in therapy can include the use of art, writing, play, sand and sound which can be helpful in aiding the therapeutic process.
Creative working allows you to be able to express feelings and emotions where the spoken word may be too difficult or painful.
Producing something creative allows for exploring meaning making, developing self-awareness and tapping into unconscious material which can then continue to be worked on in therapy.
Working creatively invites self-autonomy as you produce work that is meaningful to you, in-turn increasing self-esteem and confidence. It can also give some needed relief to the possible intensity of sitting in the therapy chair.
Creativity encourages playfulness and freedom of expression something which may be missing in our day to day lives.
There is no right or wrong, simply what you create.
Creative therapy is often interwoven with talking therapy for those who feel open to it. But, as with every way of working with me, it is always your choice.
Children and those with communication difficulties may also benefit from this way of working.
Working using creative medium does not require any artistic ability or experience, it is open to all, it is about the process and meaning making.
You may also like to join one of my Creative Art for Wellbeing workshops.