Counselling is a method of listening or communication. It is an ideal way to allow someone to feel heard, as well as encouraging them to feel safe and supported. This provides the conditions for an individual to deepen their understanding of their thoughts, feelings and behaviours impacting on their lives.

Counselling is a way to explore the current issue and identify what is working and what needs addressing. Once a person gains understanding of their self-limiting beliefs, connects to any emotional blockages and identifies unhelpful behaviours, then change can be created. This is done through helping the individual identify the resources within themselves, as well as helping them identify what feels right for them to do at this time.

Counselling will explore the past, but not to the depth of psychotherapy. It can therefore be thought of as working in the present and moving towards a different future.

Psychotherapy is a method of deeper restructuring of a person. This creates deep seated permanent change, but will typically take longer. However, many people find that previous counselling has not addressed their issues adequately - they keep coming back. Therefore, the in-depth approach of psychotherapy may be indicated.

Psychotherapy uses the listening method of counselling, but additionally, a well-trained psychotherapist can assist you to understand where you have learnt any unhelpful patterns of relating and being, which are causing your present difficulty.

All our difficulties are related to a past relationship issue which has not been adequately overcome. This includes unresolved childhood issues, as well as adolescent and adult relationships, including any traumatic events, such as bullying.

Psychotherapy will assist you to identify patterns of fear, anger, guilt, shame (feeling inadequate), which are causing you pain, exhaustion and unhappiness. Importantly, it is the task of a psychotherapist to give you a better experience of a relationship. This is an important part of the healing process.

A psychotherapist will work with you to see how you are replaying your issues in the therapy room. This is vitally important for a real life experience of a more open, honest and compassionate relationship, which is very healing and leads to permanent change.