My approach to Counselling and Psychotherapy

My counselling approach is an integrative one, which means that I do not use one approach, but take the needs of the client into account. My training has incorporated humanistic therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and cognitive behavioural therapy. Psychodyanmic therapy helps me to understand the past, and why people behave as they do, also looking at the workings of the unconscious mind. Humanistic therapy is about forming a relationship with the client and putting you in their shoes. Cognitive behavioural therapy is about changing the way you think in order to change the way you feel, and is more direct, providing immediate relief from problems.

For instance, a client with a basic phobia would require short-term behavioural therapy in order to overcome their fears. A client with long-term problems, for example long-standing depression, might require longer term therapy in order to understand the nature and cause of their difficulties, together with a solution focused approach to provide short term relief.

The needs of the client come first, and the process is an open and honest one, subject to ongoing reviews. Feedback is an integral part of the process, given to the client, and also welcomed for the counsellor.

The first appointment would be an assessment, whereby you decide, with Lynne, whether counselling is the right way forward for you at this time. Should you both decide that this would be beneficial to you, further appointments will be discussed.