Person-centred counselling was developed in the 1970s by Carl Rogers, and continues to form the foundation for most ‘talking therapies’ today. Carl Rogers believed that humans have one basic motive. That is, to fulfill one's potential and achieve the highest level of 'human-beingness' we can.

The approach aligns strongly with my personal values, and works from a set of basic principles rather than fixed techniques.

These principles include:

• it is important for me to be real, authentic and honest with you, and to seek to understand what it is like to stand in your shoes.

• in the counselling room you are valued for who you are. You are ok as yourself, whatever space you’re in.

• like seeds planted in the ground, all people have an innate drive to grow and fulfil their potential. Person-centred therapy calls this the ‘self-actualising tendency’. My job is to help you to recognise and navigate obstacles to this natural drive, so that you can continue to grow and develop freely.

I tie in tools from other modalities where that is helpful. Some clients find CBT tools helpful - others prefer more symbolic and creative modalities. We might use parts work, narrative therapy techniques, or psychodynamic approaches. In the context of a person-centred approach, our work is to collaborate to help you meet your goals.

My Role

My role is to act as a supportive guide as you find a way through what you are facing. You are the expert on yourself, and only you can say what feels right for you.

I can structure and focus our time together, gently guiding you to listen and notice what is going on for you, and to help you to spot and follow the solutions already within you as they come to light. Our first conversation will be about what you want to get out of counselling, and how we might work together to achieve that.

I will always trust your intentions, and will support you as you bravely try out new ways of being in the world