Counselling
Drug and Alcohol Problems
How many of us know of a friend or family member who has experienced problems with alcohol or drugs? Include in this people who are struggling to come off prescription drugs such as benzodiazipines (Valium etc), and you probably know more than you think.
I have many years experience in helping people with such issues – helping people deal with planning their changes, relapse prevention, and coping with the anxiety issues that life without drugs can cause. I use a number of resources to help with this.
Most people can and do go to the local agencies available in Swansea (see Links page). However, for some this is not an option and they require a more discreet service. I offer a non-judgmental, and professionally experienced approach to drug and alcohol problems.
Anxiety
The physical feelings and thoughts that people experience when anxious can be very debilitating. Therapy is very effective in reducing the anxiety levels and I use a variety of techniques to enable this.
Bereavement and Loss
Grief is a natural process that people go through, and in most cases we do not need counselling to cope with our loss. However, sometimes people get ‘stuck’ in their grief, and this is when it is useful to have someone to gently help you explore what is happening so that you are able to move forward.
Self-harm
Increasingly, society is beginning to realise that many people, particularly young people, are self-harming (eg cutting) to cope with their feelings. A particular problem with this is that the person usually feels they need to keep it a secret. Counselling can help by exploring the feelings in a safer manner, identifying strategies which enable the person to be empowered to deal with their lives.
Low self-esteem
This is also a common issue which many of us experience at some time or other, and stops people fulfilling their potential. It also makes ‘doormats’ of some – hypnotherapy and counselling combined can have a positive effect on this issue.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Following a severe trauma, some people experience a number of symptoms that are distressing, and lead to a diagnosis of PTSD. Counselling and hypnotherapy can help with the symptoms of this disorder.
Abuse
Again, society is becoming more aware of the effects of abuse, whether it is violent domestic abuse or exploitative sexual abuse. It can leave a person feeling powerless and unable to trust. Sensitive exploration of these issues can help people regain confidence in themselves, and more able to focus on the future.
Relationships
Often complicated, it sometimes helps to talk to a counsellor to gain understanding of what is causing the problems in the relationship, or to identify patterns.
Stress Management
A little bit of stress is useful, it makes us get on with things, causes a little excitement. However, too much stress can make us feel tired, unable to cope, snappy, distressed. Time taken to sort this out will enable you to work more efficiently, benefit your relationships and help you enjoy your life more.
Anger Management
No-one needs to deny their feelings, but it’s how we act on them that makes the difference. If uncontrolled anger is causing problems for you, then counselling and hypnotherapy will give you space to think about why there is so much anger, and also how you can manage your feelings (saving friendships, getting people to listen to you etc!)
Assertiveness Training
If you are someone who always says ‘yes’ when you want to say ‘no’, this could help. Counselling and hypnotherapy will provide behavioural techniques to help you to get your point across and to know that you have said what you need to.
Depression
Feeling that you are isolated, in a world of darkness, unable to function in the way you would like, missing out on any joy in life – even though you may feel that talking will do no good, research has shown that for mild to moderate depression talking therapies are as effective as medication.
Living with a chronic illness
This can have an effect not only on the person who is ill but also on family and close friends. In my work I have counselled a number of people with serious ongoing health issues, including HIV and Hepatitis C.