How therapy works
Counselling and psychotherapy involve a series of regular meetings in which you and your therapist work together to understand your difficulties. In a calm, confidential environment, you are free to talk about whatever you find most important or troubling, without fear of rejection, criticism or judgement. The therapist’s role is to get alongside you and to understand the world from your unique point of view.
Which type of therapy?
The latest and most thorough research, analysing the results of a very large number of scientific studies, demonstrates that psychodynamic therapy is the best treatment for lasting relief from a wide range of complaints, including depression and anxiety. The positive results of other therapies tend to diminish over time, but with psychodynamic therapy the benefits actually increase, as the capacity to understand and work on oneself has been set in motion. Review the evidence.
Psychotherapy or counselling?
These words are sometimes used interchangeably and sometimes correspond to the depth of training of the therapist, with psychotherapists undergoing a more rigorous training than counsellors. More about my training.
Short-term or open-ended?
Some people use counselling to refer to short-term work, which can be effective in tackling a particular issue or situation. Psychotherapy, on the other hand, often refers to open-ended work. This offers a broader exploration of a person’s thoughts and feelings, leading to deeper understanding and lasting change. I am trained in both of these approaches and we can discuss your needs in the preliminary session. Alternatively, please feel free to phone me to talk through any questions you may have.