Counselling
HealthWorks Practitioners: Lynden Easterbrook
and
Michael Hawkins
Lynden Easterbrook
Theoretical Background
In the process of growing up, and under the pressures of modern society, we tend to suppress some of our feelings and modify our behaviour. While this can be helpful at the time, long term it can leave some people feeling cut off from their feelings, while others feel overwhelmed by them, or experience discomfort or anxiety. This often comes to light at times of crisis, for example when bereaved or facing life-changing circumstances such as a new relationship, divorce, a new job or children leaving home. Counselling provides a confidential supportive relationship in which the counsellor offers the core conditions of empathy, genuineness and acceptance of the client’s feelings. This relationship allows the client’s ‘self actualising tendency’, their natural tendency to heal and grow, to emerge.
Brief History
Carl Rogers introduced the concept of Person Centred Counselling in the 1950s. He did extensive research over the next thirty years, proving that the provision of a therapeutic relationship as outlined above can be effective for healing and growth. Counselling has grown and developed since the 1960s and is now an established profession, with training courses all over the world and counsellors working in industry, schools and major institutions.
Counselling offers a safe relationship in which people can express and explore their feelings. This leads to the potential for growth, change and personal development. Expressing suppressed feelings can free people to move on. Within the support of the counselling relationship clients can explore different ways of being, and make decisions about any changes they wish to make in their lives.
Different Applications
Counselling can help people in many situations, including bereavement and loss, coming to terms with illness and life changes, the effects of abuse, difficulties at work, relationship difficulties, making a major decision or a feeling of general anxiety or uneasiness. People also come for counselling because they would like to express themselves more fully or live a life that is more fulfilling.
What Happens in a Session
The main focus of counselling is talking, at the client’s pace and focus. The counsellor listens attentively and reflects how she is perceiving the client. The counselling relationship can enable the client to explore their feelings and concerns more fully. Counselling is confidential; this is discussed in more detail in the first session. People can choose to draw or use creative approaches in their counselling as well as talking.
Who can use it
Counselling is suitable for anyone who is willing and able to explore their concerns with a counsellor. In the initial session the counsellor and client decide whether they would like to work together and if so, what focus this work will take.
How Often?
Counselling is usually weekly, with sessions lasting for an hour. Sometimes a client chooses to meet more or less often, or for longer than an hour. Counselling can be short term and focussed, lasting for a few weeks, or long term, where clients choose to explore deeper issues. This can last for several months or longer.
I am an accredited member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy www.bacp.co.uk
0870 443 5252
The BACP has an ethical framework for counsellors. Members are also subject to its complaints procedure.
Further Reading
For anyone interested in exploring the theory and practice of counselling in greater depth I would recommend the following two books:
‘On Becoming a Person’ by Carl Rogers, Constable, 1961.
HealthWorks Practitioner - Lynden Easterbrook
I am a BACP accredited counsellor. I have a Diploma in Counselling and I have been practicing since 1992. I have counselled in schools, voluntary groups and in private practice, and enjoy using creative approaches to counselling. I also offer supervision to counsellors and other health practitioners.
For Further Information or to Make an Appointment
Telephone: 01343 546563.
Michael Hawkins
What is Person-Centred Counselling?
Person-Centred Counselling is a supportive way of helping which is different to giving advice. It aims to help you see your situation more clearly. Together we would explore your issues in depth to help you find your own answers. Solutions which could include making minor or major changes in your life.
Its Founding Father, Carl Rogers, described it as a radical process that seeks to empower and prize the client.
It is not easy to deal with overwhelming problems and painful, troubling feelings. The Counselling hour offers a professional, safe, neutral, confidential environment in which to do so.
Who can it help?
Person-Centred Counselling is noted for and characterised by its focus on the relationship between client and counsellor. It is for anyone wanting to make changes in their life, know themselves better, feel more comfortable in their skin, become more fully human. For anyone needing someone to listen deeply, attentively to them, perhaps as never before.
Life Issues I deal with
All issues that span the immense range of everyday human experience, from abuse to wondering what to do, where to go next and the quest for a more fulfilling life.
How long and often?
Weekly sessions usually last an hour. In length Counselling can be short term and focussed, lasting a few weeks, or long-term, where clients choose to explore deeper issues. This can last for several months or longer.
The Cornerstone of my Approach
Deep listening is the cornerstone of my Counselling practice, anchored in the theory and vision of the person-centred approach and my way of working is both humanistic and transpersonal.
Professional Organisation.
I have a Diploma in Counselling and am an accredited member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy: www.bacp.co.uk
I have been Counselling at a GP practice in Nairn since 2006.
For further information or to make an appointment contact Michael on 01309 671552 or via e-mail hawkmlight@yahoo.co.uk