Why therapy?
From time to time we can all face, what seem like, insurmountable problems. Coping with these problems and the thoughts and emotions they arouse, may make us feel overwhelmed, depressed, angry or even, at times, suicidal. Our anxiety and stress can increase and we start to have difficulties in our relationships
Regularly meeting (face to face or online) for a session (50 minutes every week) to talk with a qualified therapist, someone who is not a friend but with whom you can talk in confidence, without fear or judgment, can help in situations such as these
Talking with your therapist at a regular time/day each week offers you reliability and consistency and an opportunity for you to explore your situation in some depth and over time
People often think you have to have a “problem” when you go to counselling/therapy. You don’t: you might just want to use the sessions to find out more about yourself; to take stock about where you are going/want to go in your life; consider decisions you have to make in your career/in your relationships. Talking privately to a counsellor offers you a way to do this. The therapist doesn’t give you advice or direct you but through talking with you it is hoped you can find the way/solution that suits you best
Why psychodynamic psychotherapy?
There are many types of therapy. Anyone who is looking for therapy approaches the search from the standpoint of their own experience, background, values and ideas
It`s important you find the type of therapy and therapist who is right for you. I am a psychodynamic psychotherapist offering psychotherapy and counselling for adults in Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 4BW
Psychodynamic psychotherapy focuses on how our experiences in the past, particularly in our early lives with carers/parents/family may have impacted on us
Early on in our lives, we may set up specific patterns of behaviour to deal with the world as we perceive it. Those ways of coping, helpful in the past, can sometimes be less than helpful to us today
However, it can be difficult to recognise and change aspects of ourselves. Thoughts, feelings and behaviours can become so much a part of us, we are often not conscious of them
Your therapist is trained to encourage you to find ways to express your feelings and thus gain deeper insights into yourself. With this increased self awareness, it can be easier for you to begin to find more fulfillment in your life
Often people feel stuck when they come into therapy, but it may be that as you progress, you will feel more choices are opened up for you
How long does it take?
The type of therapy offered is called “open ended” ie the length of time you stay in therapy is not fixed at the outset, but is kept under review
You can stop coming at any time if you feel it`s not working for you
Issues that can be explored in the therapy include:
- Depression
- Anger and violence
- Difficulties in relationships
- Loneliness
- Low self esteem and feelings of failure
- Stress and anxiety
- Eating disorders
- Self harm
- Suicidal feelings
- Bereavement
- Grief and loss
- Boarding school survival
- Alcohol and drug use
- Obsessional behaviour
- Sexual difficulties and sexuality issues
- Job loss, redundancy
- Financial worries
If you live or work in Bournemouth, Christchurch, New Milton or New Forest please contact me
For psychotherapy in Christchurch, Dorset, contact 07709 186892
