Demystifying Counselling

I don’t have a couch. I have a colourful chair and quite a lot of books. I go through about four boxes of tissues a month, only because my children have allergies. People don’t come to see me to lie down and cry. I don’t take notes like a Woody Allen therapist. Sometimes, I may jot down a web link or a reminder to email you but I’m not a psychiatrist and I don’t need to see you every week. I’m a normal person, just like you, who is balancing work, children, relationships, life and all the challenges they bring. I’m a terrible cook, a miserable housewife and a reluctant exerciser, but my daughter told me last night I’m an amazing Mum. This time it was me reaching for the tissues.

Holistic Counselling guides you towards healing by looking at the whole you and everything that has made you, uniquely you. This covers emotional, physical, spiritual, social, psychological, sexual, cultural, environmental. We work, together inquiring into your life experiences and assess your needs and how to best support you.

Sometimes there are periods in life where we need additional support. Things that are not within our control, like illness, death, work changes, family stress, leaving us feeling stuck, frozen, unable to move forward or just plain fearful, angry, frustrated, lonely or depressed. I’ve faced many changes in my life. Some of them, I have bumbled through in the dark, without help and learning the hard way, and thankfully for the rest I have had support and guidance of wise instructors.

Types of issues which can be helped by counselling are:

• Grief
• Depression
• Changes in the work place
• Goal setting
• Family or relationship difficulties
• Setting boundaries
• Decision making
• Improving Communication skills
• Stress
• Anxiety

I studied counselling so I could pass on some of this wisdom, guidance and support I’ve received in my life. Most of my clients spend a lot of the session laughing, I find it easy to relate to others having gone through similar things. I have experienced the heartache of broken relationships, the ground disappearing under my feet when my workplace has gone through major change, the goalposts moving when things didn’t go to plan and parenting, pretty much the toughest job of my life.

Sometimes I have all my ducks in a row and the homework is done, the lunches are packed, I’ve ticked off my to-do list and I feel like slapping a gold star on my forehead. Some weeks, the dishwasher is broken, my kids are sick, I’m angry with my husband, and the garage door jams shut at 8am trapping me and my cheering children inside.

My youngest daughter has just fashioned a swear jar for me. So far I have almost enough to buy a small Indonesian country.

Methods used in Holistic Counselling

• Dissolution of Freedom Technique to shift physical or emotional pain
• The Work of Byron Katie
•  Emotional Freedom Technique ( Tapping)
•  Structural Constellations for decision making
•  Guided meditations
•  Inner Child Work
•  Effective Communication
•  Active and empathic listening

Often people will come to see my for reiki or massage and I offer this combined with the deeper support of counselling.  I blend and mix depending on your needs. It’s normal to be scared, nervous, anxious when coming to a counselling session for the first time. Let’s take the first step together. I have tissues, but you more than likely will be wiping away tears of laughter. Follow the link here  to my home page to read my blog which might give you more of an understanding of who I am.

I am a Holistic Counsellor, Massage Therapist and Reiki practitioner based in Brisbane. Contact me to arrange a time suitable to you to commence the first step towards your healing.