Why Psychotherapy?
People come to therapy for many reasons. Most often a particular experience prompts the first phone call: for example, the loss of a loved one, difficulties within a relationship, redundancy, abuse, issues of sexuality, rejection or a traumatic event. Such experiences can give rise to difficult feelings such as sadness, depression, intense anxiety, stress, panic attacks, anger or disappointment.
Yet people also come when they are not sure what has gone wrong, why life simply feels drained of vibrancy and meaning, when the way forward feels foggy or even impenetrable. They come for deeply troubling reasons but do not have the words to describe the trouble they are in. It is as if their confidence and self esteem has ebbed away: they feel out of sorts with themselves.
What do I offer?
I view psychotherapy as offering a relationship with the intent to alleviate distress and rekindle hope. It invites the person coming for help to be curious about their internal world and engage in an explorative venture. At the core of therapy is a confidential and collaborative relationship, whereby the therapist guides the person on a journey towards increased self understanding. In my approach, which is based on a developmental model, this process examines how particular themes unfold in a person’s life and, in making sense of these, aims to foster awareness of the possibilities for lasting change.
My hope is to help the person move from a position of self doubt or insecurity, to one where they feel more in control of life. People often experience this through a growing sense of healthy independence, of trust and confidence in being able to love and to be loved; of being able to find their own truth and sense of fulfilment in life.
Somatic Trauma Therapy
For those who have been impacted by trauma, sometimes resulting in post traumatic stress, I offer a particular therapeutic approach which seeks to re-establish a sense of safety and predictability in the world. In this way my aim is to help survivors reclaim, rebuild and renew their lives.
Why Counselling?
Counselling is shorter term work as it tends to focus on a more immediate problem, for example, a particular relationship difficulty, how best to resolve a conflict or make an important decision. I would seek to help you to talk about your situation, to clarify your feelings and to identify improved ways of coping. Often the chance to talk to somebody who is independent from your social circle and who can offer a different perspective, is very helpful in determining the best way forward.
Email: lesleymcgown@blueyonder.co.uk
