A type of psychotherapy which helps clients understand their emotions and unconscious patterns of behaviour which may have their origins in the past, or are transferred from past and even present significant relationships. This type of counselling draws upon psychoanalytic theory and forms the basis of most modern forms of talking therapy. It requires the therapist to listen deeply to both the conscious and ‘un-conscious’ communication between client and Counsellor, to reflect upon and explore these communications with the client, and to ‘hold’ the client in a safe, non-judgmental space whilst sometimes difficult feelings and emotions are expressed. The process can help to ‘unlock’ negative feelings and enable the client to move forward with new insight and ability to enjoy life more fully.
What can the client expect at the appointment
Following an initial (free) 15 minute telephone chat during which I will gain a brief summary of what is troubling you, and establish the goals of counselling, I will arrange a mutually convenient day and time to meet for our first session. Sessions are 50 minutes long and during our first session I will go over the counselling contract with you, and ask you to complete a short mental health questionnaire. We will use the remainder of the session to start to explore the issues you wish to discuss.
What happens in a session
This is your space, your ‘sacred’ time to bring whatever is troubling you to the session. It is perfectly ok to just sit in silence for a while to reflect and this will be respected. On the other hand, you may feel like your well of emotions needs to spill out and again, tears are normal. The aim of therapy is to build a safe, trusting and empathic relationship between client and Counsellor in order to reflect, explore, encourage, and heal.
How many sessions should the client need before they see results
I will initially aim and contract for 6 once-weekly sessions with regular mental health questionnaire evaluations throughout, and with a final evaluation, however we can plan for extra sessions if you feel you would like to continue ‘the work’, and psychodynamic therapy works particularly well as an open-ended therapy. It really does depend on how you wish to proceed, and we can usually make great progress during the course of 6 weeks.
What can the Therapy help
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Relationship problems
- Addiction
- Eating Disorders
- Lack of personal fulfilment in life
- Feelings of isolation
- Difficulty in forming or maintaining meaningful relationships
- Bereavement and loss (including the loss of beloved animal companions)
- Trauma and PTSD
Who would benefit from this type of Therapy
Anyone over the age of 16
Practitioner
Mary Crompton
To book
Call 07779 353 372 for your free initial 15-minute chat
Email: marycromp1309@mail.com