How counselling could help

When you come for counselling you may not really know what the problem is. You just feel that something is missing, or not quite right, in your life. Counselling can help you discover the reasons for this, thus enabling you to lead a more fulfilling life.

You may have feelings of guilt about something you have done in the past and been unable to talk about it to anyone. If you have been a victim of abuse you are probably experiencing feelings of shame and guilt as many victims believe that what happened to them was their fault. Of course, this is not true but the abuser instils these thoughts into your mind. I listen without offering advice, being judgemental or being shocked by what you say.

Relationships

Breakdown in relationships can be a result of conflict caused by a particular issue or due to long-standing differences. You may find you are arguing when you try to talk to each other or you don't seem to understand each other anymore. It can be hard to see a way forward when the same mistakes keep repeating themselves or communication breaks down.

Counselling can help because the counsellor looks at your problems objectively. No blame will be apportioned to either partner and being in a safe, neutral setting is condusive to being honest and open.

Bereavement

People who have been bereaved may find it difficult to talk about their loss to someone close to them. This is only natural. However, counselling can offer the opportunity to share thoughts and feelings that are difficult to express, by talking to someone who is not closely involved in your grief.

Domestic Violence

If you are a man or woman experiencing domestic violence you may think that you won't be believed if you tell someone about it. I will listen objectively and I will believe you.

You have probably been trying to keep it a secret from your family, friends and neighbours who have no idea what you are going through. After sharing your story with me you should feel as though a burden has been lifted from your shoulders, enabling you to think more clearly about how you can move forward.

A common factor among people experiencing domestic violence is that they think it is their fault, or that they have done something to deserve it .One of the aims of counselling will be for you to believe this is not true.

Post Natal Depression

PND is experienced by at least 10% of new mums, with symptoms starting up until 2 or 3 years after childbirth. Without treatment it can last for several months or even years. If you are a Mum with PND you will be experiencing any number of the following symptoms; anxiety, inability to sleep, panic attacks, fatigue, no, " connection", with your baby, lack of libido, fear of being left alone with your baby, fear of going out and an overwhelming feeling that you can't cope. You will probably be scared that you will harm your baby. Counselling will support you through your recovery and enable you to believe that family life will return to normal.

Another much less common condition is Post Natal Psychosis. This is extremely distressing , involving hearing voices, having visions and feeling that you want to harm your baby and other people. If you think you have this condition please seek urgent medical help and then a talking therapy alongside it. You will think that you must be the only person to have this condition but I can assure you that you are not alone and you will recover.