I assist people in either individual, couple or family therapy to improve their health and well-being, offering psychotherapy and counselling for a variety of concerns and problems such as:
Individual, Couple & Family Therapy
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Anger management
- Relationship issues
- Trauma
- Bereavement
- Work related issues
- Drugs and Alcohol
- Behavioural addictions
- Stress management
- Life transitions
- Cross-cultural issues
- Relocation stress
- Parenting problems
- Stressful life events
Couples Counselling
With couples therapy or marriage counselling it is best but not necessary for both partners to attend sessions. If one partner does not want to attend sessions therapy can still be as effective with one motivated person.
Most couples experience a range of common issues, this is perfectly normal and natural. However, at times couples get stuck in how to approach a problem. Often it is not the problem in itself that is the issue but it is the way both partners relate to their differences that causes the most distress. When a couple gets caught in reactive cycles, patterns of conflict, avoidance of issues, symptoms in one partner, or chronic distance or stonewalling, can often settle in.
In couples therapy, I encourage each partner to see their part in the relationship-dance and to become aware of how each person keeps the pattern going as well as how they can change it to steer themselves in the direction of a more mature and happy relationship. As partners release stuck patterns in their relationship dynamic they find new energy for themselves and their life.
My approach to couples therapy is informed by evidence based research and therapies which have shown to be effective even when couples are in significant distress, on the verge of separation, or whose problems have a long history, as well as couples who may not be as distressed but who would nonetheless like to enhance their relationship.
I work with both heterosexual and same-sex couples.
Some of the issues couples come to therapy with are:
Conflict
Sex
Money
Housework
Parenting issues
Distance, stone walling
Affairs, breech of trust
Pre-marital or pre-commitment counselling
Symptoms in one partner (e.g. depression, anxiety, addictions)
Differences regarding values, money, housework, parenting etc
Time, quality time, lack of time
Distance-pursue cycles
Over-under functioning patterns
Individual Therapy
This is a safe place away from the busyness and stresses of everyday life where you can talk about your problems and learn to understand and grow yourself in relationship to significant others and within the context of your life and history.
Individual or personal therapy is a process of slowing things down enough to be able to see patterns and behaviours that keep you stuck, in pain, or moving away from where you want to get to in life.
Whether you are in crisis and struggling to adapt to stressful events in your life or whether you are interested in self growth and enhancing vitality, resilience and important relationships, individual therapy can enhance your well-being and consequently the well-being of those around you.
Family Therapy
One or more family members can attend sessions to discuss concerns and issues pertaining to their family of origin as well as their nuclear and/or extended family. In these sessions I am committed to doing my best to not take sides with any member of the relationship system.
As entrenched or unhelpful cyclical relationship patterns become more evident I encourage family members to practice and observe the things learned in counselling, between sessions.
In family therapy, children and adolescents are usually seen with parents and/or other involved family members.
Parents are an invaluable support for the therapeutic process of symptomatic children and teenagers. I ask that one or both parents attend sessions. Parents are also encouraged to attend consultations on their own to benefit from parenting-coaching to enhance their child’s resilience and be their best possible resource.
Groups
From time to time I facilitate therapy groups.
I am currently in the process of putting together a mother’s group.