COUPLES & FAMILY THERAPY
Relationship/Marriage Counselling
With confidential, professional support, away from everyone else’s influence (however loving), couples can explore where they are having difficulties, and work towards creating a more positive future together before things get out of control. If things don’t appear positive, then solutions can be found to minimise the damage to you and those you love. Counselling can be an effective way to improve overall well-being within the family unit, by relieving distress and enhancing relationships. and could be as simple as a couple of sessions and get healthy communication happening again. I offer these services in my professional rooms or online.
Blended Families
When families merge there is a need for extra focus and effort in order for the new ‘family’ home life to run smoothly. EVERY member of this new union is important. History, and sometimes unresolved ‘’baggage’ is part of this and needs to be recognised and dealt with so that your new family has the best opportunity to grow in a positive way. Dealing with potential problems (however tough) is far healthier for everyone concerned than pretending that everything’s going to be perfect. Personalities and different backgrounds can create problems within families, and sometimes professional help in learning how to manage these things can be all that is needed to get the family into balance.
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Separation & Divorce
As hard as it is to deal with an unsuccessful relationship that leads to separation or divorce, the reality of it all can be very challenging. Professional counselling is non-judgmental, and supportive and can help you to cope with the issues that arise in the relationship breakdowns. In the counselling environment space is given for dealing with the issues that need to be addressed away from the home environment and little ears. Often individuals appreciate the support of someone NOT connected to their situation, to be able to explore their own feelings and emotions around their new circumstances.
Parenting Conflicts
Bringing up children can be challenging at the best of times, but when you can’t seem to agree on how to do this, conflict can arise. Luckily, with just a few sessions, you can start to get on the same page for supporting your children towards healthy productive lives as ‘normal’ human beings! Seriously though, parenting is the hardest job, and objective professional help can and does help.
Coping with Family Illness
When serious illness afflicts a family, professional support can be such an aid in dealing with the myriad of issues that arise. From the physical practicalities to the emotional minefield for all members in the family, a path forward needs to be found. You do not have to walk this path alone. It’s important to know that external help and support can guide you through this challenging time.
Redundancy & Job Loss
Loss of income and identity can put any relationship to the test, and professional support can be instrumental in helping you to gain a clear perspective of your options. Feeling overwhelmed can prevent you from making positive decisions that can get you back on track again. Whether itis you or your partner or parent in this position, a few sessions of counselling can go a long way towards getting back some control and perspective in your life.
DEPRESSION & ANXIETY
Depression
“Everything we hear is an opinion not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective not a truth”
Dr. Michael Yapko MD
Everyone faces difficult times and occasions: why then, doesn’t everyone become depressed?
Are there specific skills that can be developed that will protect you from depression and even help prevent future episodes? Yes there are. By learning how to break the patterns of depression with new skills and perspectives you can learn to:
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Manage difficult situations
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Solve problems effectively
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Anticipate the likely consequences of your actions
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Thinks and act in a powerful, goal orientated fashion
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Balance different areas of your life
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Use your self-knowledge to stay out of hurtful situations
By learning how to recognize your triggers for depression, and then clarifying how you feel about them can be enormously helpful in you controlling your depression NOT it controlling you!
You don’t have to take this journey alone.
Anxiety
Everyone suffers from anxiety at times. It’s natural, and it’s even healthy, however overwhelming or completely debilitating anxiety in situations where most people would feel comfortable and relaxed is quite different and can cause a major impact on the quality of your life and those around you.
Hypnosis deals with the unconscious part of your mind, the place where your automatic functions and reactions are controlled. Having probably already tried to consciously overcome your anxiety, you will have noticed that no matter how much you want to stop these feelings, your automatic reaction remains the same.
This is where Hypnosis can be of help. Through developing the skill of relaxation, and working at the subconscious level, we can adjust your unhelpful feelings and behaviours so that you can again get enjoyment back into your life.
GRIEF, LOSS & TRAUMA
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You may associate grief with the death of a loved one—which is often the cause of the most intense type of grief—but any loss can cause grief.
Losing someone or something you love or care deeply about is very painful. All kinds of difficult emotions can be experienced and it may feel like the pain and sadness will never let up. The more significant the loss, the more intense the grief will be. However, even subtle losses can lead to grief. These reactions are normal, and while there is no right or wrong way to grieve, there are healthy ways to cope with the pain that, in time, can renew you and permit you to move on.
The following list shows other situations in life that can cause grief, but may not have been considered under the grief and loss heading:
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Divorce or relationship breakup
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Loss of health
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Losing a job
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Loss of financial stability
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A miscarriage
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Retirement
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Death of a pet
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Loss of a cherished dream
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A loved one’s serious illness
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Loss of a friendship
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Loss of safety after a trauma
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Selling the family home
Talking through your feelings with friends and family can often be a great source of comfort, and might be all you require. Sometimes, though, talking with someone outside your ‘inner circle’ can be what’s needed for you to regain your own sense of balance. This is where objective professional help can be of great benefit.
LIFE TRANSITIONS
Often our identity is so entwined with our past roles that it can be hard to imagine life any other way. As you move through the various stages of life, the changes that occur can be very challenging at times. Whether it’s changing jobs, careers, or retirement, becoming a parent for the first time or empty nesting, separation/divorce, illness or simply a change in the way you feel about life and the future, talking to a professional counsellor can be of great benefit. A fulfilling future is waiting for you – it just takes a little re-adjusting and some planning.