First steps in counselling
Our first counselling session together is an opportunity for us to meet (either in person or online) and get to know each other a little. It will be a space for you to ask any questions you may have about me, or how counselling works, and to talk about what brings you to counselling.
At the end of this session we should have a good idea as to whether we want to work together and continue with further sessions, although you may want to think it over for a few days.
If we decide to continue we will make a ‘contract’ that we both feel comfortable with. The contract makes it clear that the sessions are confidential. We also use the contract to agree our terms of cancellation, and to agree to work together in regular weekly (usually) sessions. For example, we might initially contract to meet for 6 weeks, to see how that works out. This may be a sufficient number of sessions or you may then decide to continue on an open ended basis.
In most cases the sessions are best conducted on a consistent weekly basis to gain the most out of the work together. I have a 24 hour cancellation policy. If the session is cancelled within this time the full session fee may be liable.
Mindfulness in counselling
Mindfulness can significantly enhance counselling in several ways:
Increased Self-Awareness:
Mindfulness helps you become more aware of your thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations in the present moment. This heightened awareness allows you to identify and understand your emotional and cognitive patterns more clearly, which is important for effective therapy.
Emotion Regulation:
Practicing mindfulness can improve your ability to regulate your emotions. By observing your feelings without judgment, you can reduce the intensity of negative emotions and respond to them in healthier ways.
Stress Reduction:
Mindfulness techniques like meditation and breathing techniques can lower stress levels. This is helpful for difficulties such as anxiety, depression, and other stress-related issues.
Improved Attention and Concentration:
Mindfulness training can enhance your attention and concentration, making it easier for you to engage fully in therapy sessions and apply therapeutic techniques in your daily life.
Enhanced Therapeutic Alliance:
Mindfulness can foster a stronger therapeutic relationship. I practice mindfulness myself so that I can model mindful behaviour and presence, creating a more empathetic and supportive environment for you.
Reduced Rumination:
Mindfulness helps you break the cycle of rumination—repetitive, negative thinking that often makes mental health issues worse. By focusing on the present moment, you can shift away from dwelling on past events or worrying about the future.
Acceptance and Compassion:
Mindfulness encourages acceptance and self-compassion, helping you develop a kinder, non-judgmental attitude towards yourself. This is particularly helpful if you are struggling with self-esteem issues or self-criticism.
Behavioural Change:
By fostering a non-reactive stance towards thoughts and emotions, mindfulness can support you in making more conscious choices rather than reacting impulsively, leading to more adaptive behaviours.
I seek to integrate mindfulness into my counselling work so that I can provide you with practical tools to manage your mental health more effectively.
A bit about Psychosynthesis
Psychosynthesis is the key approach for my counselling work, centred on the premise that every person’s natural state of being is one of synthesis, unity, and wholeness. You can read a bit more about that here.