4 Guiding Principles

Counselling can take many forms, and is responsive to who you are and what you need.

As well as the 4 Ways In that I use from my training and many years as a practitioner, I have developed these 4 Guiding Principles for the work.

1. Recognising your many dimensions

To be human is to be multi-faceted. In counselling, together, you and I pay attention to what you think, feel and do, and who you are in body, mind and spirit – whatever that might mean to you. While you may well feel stuck at this moment in your life, in fact, one of our aims together will be to help you rediscover some of your own resourcefulness and wisdom.

2. Being non-judgmental

My role is not to judge you, but to offer you a safe space. Our task is to explore and find a healing response to what you find most difficult in your life. I respect deeply what it takes to open your heart and talk about what troubles you. Exploring what makes you feel vulnerable is a sign of strength!

3. Being creative and dynamic

Finding how to be happier in your life means that you need to be able to explore new thoughts, feelings and behaviours. Our sessions provide an ideal space for this. We can draw on a wide range of ideas and techniques to find what’s best for you. You can take what has been most helpful to you from our sessions, and use and expand upon that learning in your day to day life. Within this process our sessions become a place where you can discuss what works for you and what you feel needs further adjustment or practice.

4. Being open to learning

Part of my role is to help you acquire new knowledge and skills. This can be an especially important and valuable element if you come as a couple to work with me. In the work people often become aware of fixed ways of being and rigid thinking patterns and begin to move toward an open mindedness that embraces change. Life is complex, and so are people, and there is always more to learn about ourselves.