Scope
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Approaches within a special kind of human relationship
As the social world gets more complex, it becomes more necessary to construct your own bert hunches, or predictions about what is likely in the future, with the help of incisive questions and on reliable data. You can do this through how you use language and numbers to describe realities including the realities of how you think, feel and behave. Through these descriptions, you have (or can develop) flexible, down-to-earth ways of expanding the boundaries of how you understand yourself; and you can do so in ways you can rely on rather than simply make assumptions.
Counselling is a special kind of human relationship which can be appropriately thought of as educational health care. The main approach we use, known as 'constructivism', is an approach to life that derives from ancient wisdom traditions and reflects lessons of continuing scholarship and science. The goals of constructive counselling are there to help you to better understand and appreciate yourself and others, to help you to develop skills in solving problems about emotions and thinking and in coping with challenges in life, and to encourage your efforts to develop in directions you find fulfilling and meaningful.
It is 'constructive' because it emphasises your strengths and abilities. Challenges in your life repeatedly ask you to exercise and refine your abilities. These challenges emphasise the importance of your choices and actions, particularly in those periods of your life when you may see only limited or distressing options. I will do my best to understand and to respect your distress. We may also suggest things that you might do. Developmental exercises may include talking about your emotions, your problem(s), your experience of yourself and your situation. We may ask you to keep personal notes about some of your experiences or to complete some self-report forms or questionnaires.
Within this overall approach, we draw on other approaches as need be. We use psychometric tools, cognitive behavioural (or behavioural cognitive) techniques as well as findings from social identity research.
Flexible and responsive
This style of counselling is rooted in our assessment of your needs and of how you arrange their reasonable satisfaction in your life. . As we work with these needs and themes, you reconnect with past successes and together we identify a theme or themes that can make up the entry point to new initiatives. A 'virtuous cycle' is sparked and gradually builds on itself.
When appropriate, we enlarge the constructivist approach with techniques from other approaches. One of these is 'coherence' therapy, which guides your intuition about the emotions you experience. And the other is known as 'behaviour and cognitive therapy'. This approach actually overlaps with the constructivist one, but it emphasises the leading and teaching roles of the counsellor much more.
We honour your needs for privacy and will respect your decisions about what you choose to share with us. We encourage you to do the same. We may ask you to experiment with new or different ways of thinking, acting or feeling. Your imagination, your honesty with yourself and your commitment to your development will be important assets. We will work together during counselling meetings and we will ask you to try some exercises at home or elsewhere. If you wish, we can communicate at a distance, by email and/or telephone.
Components of service
The process of assessment, conducted collaboratively with you, determines the components of service we offer to provide for your needs.
In accordance with recommended good practice, our counselling is supported by evidence-based written information relevant to your needs as a client, in so far as reasonably practicable.
For most conditions we work with, counselling is supported by self-help materials.
How long will it take?
Timing will be important. Too much change or changing too quickly may feel overwhelming. Too little change or changing too slowly may feel discouraging or frustrating. I will try to pace my recommendations according to your needs.
The length of our work together will depend on your personal goals, your energy, our abilities to communicate with one another, the challenges you face, and the unfolding of events in your immediate future.
We can arrange to meet regularly or periodically; I will do my best to accommodate changes in our meeting schedule. If our work together continues for more than a month (and that is common), I may ask that we periodically review and jointly evaluate what we have done together.
Will constructivist counselling help?
Most people benefit from constructive counselling. The most common benefits include improvements in self-awareness, self-esteem, self-confidence, hope, courage, optimism, feeling understood, emotional expressiveness, relationships with other people, and taking an active and responsible role in one's life and work.
There can also be risks associated with counselling. You may already be in the midst of stressful challenges or changes in your life. Our role is to help you to cope with these challenges in ways that serve your well-being and that of the people in your life. Periods of change are often stressful and they are sometimes stormy. You may experience a range of emotions and changes in your relationship with yourself and with other people (including us).It is rare for people to be harmed by their experience in counselling; when a client is harmed it is most often because of a violation of their psychological boundaries or pushing too hard for dramatic change. I will respect your boundaries and your personal pacing.
You always have the right to choose whether or not to continue in counselling. If you feel that you might work better with another helping professional, I can offer information about possible referrals. With or without counselling, you may derive valuable benefits from self-help and social support groups, therapeutic reading, exercise, hobbies, music nature, and religious or spiritual practices. I will be glad to help you explore possibilities in these areas.
How does counselling work?
Communication is at the heart of successful counselling; we encourage you to ask questions and to express your feelings and concerns as openly as possible. We will respect that the information you share with us is private and confidential.
The most important factors contributing to success in counselling are persistence and patience, the quality of the relationship that we develop together and the best possible pacing of exercises, enquiries and experiences that encourage and strengthen new patterns of action, thinking and feeling on your part.
Personal quotation, in confidence
Enquiries are discussed in some detail and in strict professional confident.
Personal quotations are offered free of charge, so that you can be quite clear about what you are investing in.
Telephone 020 8654 0808 now, to arrange a mutually convenient time to talk briefly.
