LJ Counselling and Coaching
My Approach
I am an integrative counsellor and coach, using techniques from multiple therapeutic orientations. I take into account your individual circumstances and experiences, and use elements of different approaches to help you explore and cope with your problems. These approaches include person-centered, psychodynamic and solution-focused therapy. Tailoring therapy to the individual allows clients' to improve their understanding of themselves, gain insight into underlying psychological issues, change their behaviors, and fulfill their potential.
Person-Centered Therapy
Person centered therapy is a talking therapy developed by psychologist, Carl Rogers, in the 1940s and 50s. It focuses on the clients’ subjective experience, rather than the therapist’s interpretation of the situation. It's a non-directive approach - the client controls the direction of the therapy session, while the therapist acts as a guide and source of support for the client. The therapist guides the clients’ journey of self-discovery and supports them in finding answers by creating a comfortable, supportive and non-judgemental environment; and asking questions to help clarify their thoughts and feelings.
Person centered therapy is ideal for individuals who are motivated to find out more about themselves and work towards solving their issues. It's commonly used to treat relationship problems, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, low self-esteem, bereavement, sexuality, stress management and other transitions in life. Clients report a variety of benefits to person-centered therapy including:
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Finding a balance between their ideal and actual self.
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Achieving better self-awareness and self-expression.
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Boosting their self-esteem and self-reliance.
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Reducing feelings of guilt and insecurity.
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Strengthening their trust in themselves and others.
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Improving their ability to seek and sustain healthier relationships.
Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychodynamic therapy is a talking therapy based on the work of Sigmund Freud. It focuses on the psychological roots of emotional suffering, by supporting the client to recognise, understand, express, and overcome negative and contradictory feelings and repressed emotions to improve their interpersonal experiences and relationships. It provides a space to explore the connection between a clients past experiences – often from childhood – and their current mindset. Clients will learn to analyse and resolve their current difficulties, and change their behaviour in current relationships through deep exploration and analysis of earlier experiences and emotions.
Psychodynamic therapy is commonly used on clients with burnout, anxiety and depression. Clients report a variety of benefits to psychodynamic therapy, including:
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Strengthening their self-understanding to break self-defeating cycles
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Addressing recurring life patterns
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Addressing issues with avoidance
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Improving their understanding of relationship dynamics
Solution-focused therapy is a strength-based approach to psychotherapy that is future-focused, goal-directed, and centres on solutions, rather than on the problems of the client. It uses client’s strengths for moving forward in life, rather than dwelling on their weaknesses and limitations. The therapist will encourage clients to develop a vision of the future and offer support for developing the skills, resources, and abilities needed to achieve that vision successfully.
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Solution-focused therapy is useful for client’s primarily looking for actionable solutions for addressing their current personal challenges. It has been successfully used with clients suffering from a variety of issues, including anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, eating disorders, behavioural issues and communication difficulties. Solution-focused therapy is reported to help clients:
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Develop a mindset of effective problem solving.
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Make constructive changes in their lives.
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Develop useful coping strategies.
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Improve self-efficiency and confidence.