Life is best organised as a series of daring ventures
from a secure base.
Why come to Counselling or Psychotherapy?
Counselling and Psychotherapy can give you a positive experience of being deeply listened to, and deepen your understanding of your emotions and thoughts.
Counselling and psychotherapy can give you a positive experience of being deeply listened to. Taking time out for self- reflection is a form of self-care that can lead to a stronger sense of self and improved functioning in life and in relationships. Counselling and psychotherapy can possibly lead to being more reflective rather than reactive. You might find you become more mindful which means being more present in the moment. Importantly you may feel kinder toward yourself as you deepen your understanding of your emotions and thoughts.
What you can expect from the initial counselling or therapy session is an assessment of your concerns and a clarification of your hopes and goals.
An exploration of your concerns is often a good place to start for many people. For many people, beginning to talk about themselves and having an experience of being fully listened to is the beginning of change.
For others, strategies and education for difficulties such as addiction can also be helpful. Understanding where are a person is in their readiness for change and what might be getting in the way of change is an important task for both the client and therapist. As Abraham Maslow stated “in any given moment we have two options: to step forward into growth or back into safety”.
While stepping forward and coming to counselling or therapy can feel risky, it may also be enriching and healing.
My aim as a counsellor and psychotherapist is to provide an environment that feels safe enough to express your thoughts, feelings and past experiences and to help you make meaning of these experiences. Gaining a deeper understanding of your self will hopefully promote self acceptance and possibly some positive changes.
Janelle's psychotherapy and conselling practice is in Leichhardt in Sydney's Inner West, NSW. Skype and online sessions are also available.