What’s it all about?

How do I know that Coaching or Counselling/Psychotherapy is for me?  I offer an introductory  telephone session, for which there is no charge. During this session we will discuss the concerns you bring and look at whether coaching or therapy is the best route for you.

What’s the difference between Coaching, Counselling and Psychotherapy?  There are similarities between all of these approaches. Agreeing the goal of the work is key to retaining focus and direction. In the case of coaching, your goal may be more about performance, eg working on career or life style direction, whereas with Counselling and Psychotherapy the work tends to focus more on feeling better – whatever that might mean for you. Generally that involves exploring why you feel as you do and gaining awareness of how that impacts you and your relations with others. Once you have awareness then you can decide if and how you want to change from that position.  I will help and support you in that transition. There are no hard and fast rules that differentiate psychotherapy from counselling, in general the former would be deeper, longer term work.

How important is it that I feel comfortable with you?  This is hugely important. You need to feel confident in my skills and feel safe to open up and explore aspects of your life that may make you feel uncomfortable. Empathy and building a relationship that is supportive and challenging is a fundamental of our work together.  We may get a sense of this during the first telephone session, it may take longer.  If things aren’t quite right for either of us for whatever reason, I’ll be happy to help you find a therapist or coach who is more suited to working with you.