What is therapy? How does it help?

"We think we listen, but very rarely do we listen with real understanding, true empathy. 

Yet listening, of this very special kind, is one of the most potent forces for change that I know"

Carl Rogers - originator of the Person-Centred Approach

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As a person-centred therapist I believe that if we have the right conditions for personal growth then the vast resources we each have for understanding how we think about ourselves and others,

how our behaviour affects ourselves and others can be mobilised.

In a therapy relationship the power of active listening and certain key attitudes

shown by your therapist facilitate the therapeutic process.

The 3 core attitudes are:

Empathy

Means the therapist enters the private world of an other person, understands it and shows them this understanding. If a person truly feels understood then empathy becomes, as Carl Rogers said,

" a healing agent...bringing even the most frightened client

into the human race...they belong"

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Congruence

Means the therapist shows the client they are genuinely interested in them

and that they will express what they are thinking and feeling inside and always do so in ways

that are respectful and are not judgemental.  

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Unconditional positive regard

Means showing warmth or prizing and is similar to the attitude of parents who value and love their children, no matter what they do.

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So my aim is to support you in the choices you make, through developing a relationship with you that is non-judgemental, does not tell you what to do, and accepts the choices you make as being right for you.

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"It is the client who knows what hurts, what directions to go,

what problems are crucial,  what experiences have been deeply buried."

Carl Rogers

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Who am I?

I have had two careers. My first was as a NHS hospital consultant physician with a special interest in diabetes and endocrinology. I retired from this work in 2013. In 1996 I began training as a counsellor and psychotherapist at the Sherwood Psychotherapy Training Institute in Nottingham, and in 2002 gained a Master's degree (Distinction) in Humanistic Person-Centred Psychotherapy.

Since graduation I have maintained a private practice providing one to one individual counselling/psychoptherapy. In 2004 I began Reflections, the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS specialist counselling service for people with diabetes in Nottinghamshire. I retired as Lead Counsellor for Reflections in 2018 and continue to provide expertise as and when required.

In addition I work  as a therapeutic supervisor in Resolve, the staff support unit for the Derbyshire Community Health Service 

I am also a Faculty member (since 1997) of the Knuston Diabetes Counselling Course. This course enables diabetes health care professionals to develop person-centred skills which they can use in their professional lives to support people to self-manage their diabetes. The course is recognised by the Royal College of Physicians and the patients' charity Diabetes UK.

The course is held annually in England and Ireland.

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In 2015 I gained the Diploma in Supervision and I am registered with the

United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy as a Therapeutic Supervisor.

As an accredited member of the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy I adhere to the Ethical standards and Code of Practice of the UKCP. My professional practice is audited on a 5 yearly basis.

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