Specialities
01.
Many young people and adolescents can experience difficult times and struggle with how they are feeling. This can lead them to feel overwhelmed and at times unsure why they feel the way that they do. This is a time of physical and emotional change, having the space to talk about feelings with someone independent and confidentially, can give the space to explore feelings, thoughts and behaviours. Working in a person-centred way allows me to work creatively. Using writing, sand trays, stones etc, can allow the young person to experience and process difficult feelings through a different method.
02.
Experiencing or witnessing traumatic events can have a major impact on your psychological and emotional well-being. Everyone will react to differently to the trauma and it's not the event itself but what your emotional experience was of the event. Trauma affects people in different ways and symptoms can take weeks, months or even years to surface, for some. Symptoms of trauma vary from person to person and it can also depend on the severity of the event. If treatment isn't sought, trauma symptoms can last anywhere from a couple of days to decades.
Common Symptoms
Flashbacks
Re-experiencing of a past traumatic event mentally or physically
Insomnia
Experiencing a traumatic event can lead to sleep disruption due to nightmares or anxiety.
Anxiety & Depression
Many people suffer with anxiety and depression after experiencing something distressing.
Stress
Stress can be much harder to manage after a traumatic event
Anger
Anger is a valid emotion after experiencing trauma. Traumatic events can make you feel violated and unsafe, feeling angry can become a survival tactic when you have feelings such as lack of control. Initially feeling anger is constructive it has potential to become destructive.
Dissociation
For some the emotions brought up are so severe that they cannot deal with them all. This can cause emotional detachment. Emotional numbness know as dissociation.
Self-medicating
A unhealthy behaviour that can be used to try and cope with overwhelming feelings.
Childhood trauma
Experiencing trauma as a child, also know as adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can have a severe and long-lasting effect on physical and emotional well-being also carrying on into adulthood.
03.
If you or someone who is close to you has experienced rape or sexual abuse at any time in your life. Whether it's happening now, recently or a long time ago, I will be with you to listen without judgment and believe in you without question.
Abuse comes in many different forms and is not just sexual, such as:
Physical
Emotional
Neglect
Domestic abuse
I am experienced in supporting survivors of sexual abuse as I have worked in a rape and sexual abuse setting for 4 years. I am trained in trauma and abuse.
04.
What is Addiction?
Addiction is a broad topic and over recent years is becoming increasingly recognised as an illness or a condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Some would describe it as a loss of control of one’s use of substances or behaviours, being unable to stop or moderate despite negative consequences that can often destroy lives and cause pain and suffering. Research suggests many different causes to this loss of control but due to complexity of human beings, it is impossible to generalise people’s experiences and struggles.
This is why specialist, individualised treatment and social support has been shown to be the most effective way to help people break free from addictive cycles in order to move forward with their lives. Nobody chooses to become addicted but with the right kind of support, and a willingness to change, recovery is possible.
05.
Experiencing a death of someone close in your life could leave you finding it difficult to adjust to the changes and feelings of loss in your life right now. Bereavement is the time we spend adjusting to loss and there is no wrong or right way to feel or act.
Grief, can manifest in unexpected ways and counselling can provide support during this difficult time. To work through the grieving process and some of the difficult emotions you may feel. There are many different ways that people act, they can become angry, withdrawn or feel numb. Grief can sometimes trigger anxiety or depression.
Talking about the loss allows a person to adjust and explore their new life. Acknowledging the loss and not denying feelings however painful this may be, can allow you to heal and move forward.
06.
Relationships are important part of our lives. However, fulfilling and supportive relationships don't come automatically. The importance of relationships bringing happiness and fulfilment require good social skills, flexibility and a great deal of work. Sometimes connections can break down or become fragmented. Leaving us to feel lonely, disappointed and lacking fulfilment.
There may be some relationships that may not be meeting your expectations. If relationships are one-sided and if the two people are not seen as equals, problems can occur. Whatever the relationship issue, I offer individual support. As a qualified counsellor we can explore your feelings and I can support you through what be a difficult time.