Individual Counselling

Over the last 16 years I have worked with very many clients who come to counselling with a wide range of problems and emotional difficulties.

You may come to counselling to focus on a specific issue in the present i.e. a work problem or relationship problem or you may come to explore longer term deeper issues. I have experience of working in a short term focused way. I also have extensive experience of working in depth including working with childhood issues.

Counselling is often, initially about telling your story and expressing your thoughts, feelings, emotions, motivations,  in a supportive environment without fear of judgement. It is often about being able to express yourself in ways that may not have been possible in other circumstances. .   Often we need to feel we can say everything, even the truly difficult things, about ourselves; speaking about these can often make them more bearable and make distress seems more manageable. In my experience difficult feelings and emotions can continue to present themselves until they find voice and are witnessed and expressed.

Counselling can then be about gaining a new understanding of your issues promoting the development of new perspectives. For example Counselling can help you make sense of some of your current difficulties from experiences that you have had in the past.  It can help you to differentiate past from present emotions and experiences which can empower you in the present.

Counselling can help you develop abilities, skills and ways of being that enable you to work with your feelings and emotions. It can help you develop the resilience to deal with difficult life situations.  Counselling can help you to change your behaviour.

It can help you step outside from an everyday way of being and develop a particular way of reflection. You will be able to retain your balance and have the ability to think even when experiencing emotional pain and strong emotions.  In relating compassionately to your feelings you can develop a stronger sense of self which holds you steady in the presence of your emotions.

It can be about working with your ways of thinking (or destructive self talk) by challenging and mediating particular ways of thinking.

Effective counselling involves a good working relationship between the counsellor and client. Both the counsellor and client bring their resources together to enable the client to become more aware of and think about themselves and their life. It is a relationship which is initially based on acceptance and empathy. As you begin to feel accepted by the counsellor you can begin to accept yourself.  Ways of relating to others which may be the reason for seeking therapy can be reflected in the counselling relationship, enabling you to work with these in a supportive environment.

To discuss how counselling may benefit you please contact Jackie Parkes on tel: 0121 454 2209 or mob: 07796 836739 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.