I work using a psychodynamic approach to counselling which is a long winded way of describing a process in which the client and counsellor work together to help the client to overcome difficulties.
What is Psychodynamic Counselling?
In psychodynamic counselling the mind can be viewed in a similar way to an iceberg. We are aware of some of it but there’s a whole load of things going on under the surface which we are not aware of (the unconscious part of the mind to use the technical term) and which can affect the way we behave.
This can result in some deep-rooted feelings and memories which we are unaware of but that can affect the way we act in certain situations, our levels of anxiety or depression and our relationships with others.
The goals of psychodynamic therapy are to work on helping clients become more self-aware by learning to understanding of the influence of the past (these bits we may be storing in our unconscious mind) on present behaviour to cope with current and future difficulties.
How can Psychodynamic Counselling help me?
It can help you to recognize symptoms before they get out of control.
Assist in building confidence.
Encourage self-awareness.
Develop coping skills.
Gain a deeper knowledge of self.
Lead to an acceptance of yourself as a whole.
This helps bring long lasting, effective relief to areas in your life which you have been struggling with.
What are the sessions like?
Our first session together is an assessment session which is really a getting to know you process where I will ask a bit about your present circumstances, what has brought you to counselling, any issues you particularly want to concentrate on and I will gather some information on your background. This will last 1 hour.
Following the assessment the sessions will take place once a week at the same time and place and last 50 minutes each and will involve you discussing whatever is troubling you or that you would like to speak about in each session and us looking together at how this affects you and how to work towards overcoming these issues.
How long will it take?
Brief psychodynamic counselling works towards specific goals which we will set together and can be up to 25 sessions. Long-term psychodynamic counselling may take anything between six months and two years or more