COUNSELLING - A DEFINITION
“Counselling is a psychological interaction involving two or more individuals. One or more of
the interactants is considered able to help the other person(s) live and function more
effectively at the time of the involvement or in the future. Specifically, the goal of counselling
is to assist the recipients directly or indirectly in adjusting to or otherwise negotiating
environments that influence their own or someone else’s psychological well-being.” (Vontress
1988 pg7)
Research has shown that outside of therapy people rarely have a friend who will truly listen to them for more than 20 minutes.. In addition, friends and relatives are often involved in the problem and therefore do not provide the "safe outside perspective" which may be required. Nonetheless, people often attempt to solve their problems by talking to friends, relatives, co-workers, religious leaders, or some other confidant in their lives, or by thinking and exploring themselves. Whilst this can be beneficial the more structured approach of a client / therapist relationship has been shown to have far greater impact in helping people to solve their problems and resolve their issues. Indeed, apart from the relationship itself the discipline of having appointments and setting aside time to consider the issues has been shown to create a measurable improvement for some clients. Even making the first appointment can be an indicator of readiness to tackle change.
Confidentiality is, of course, an integral part of the therapeutic relationship and all counselling and psychotherapy in general.
COUNSELLING ISSUES & THERAPEUTIC METHODS
Jo has been working therapeutically with people for over 15 years. Her main passion is helping people to achieve their potential through increased confidence and self -esteem. She believes firmly in the assertion that if people feel better about themseles, they will achieve what they want.
Jo has extensive experience of helping people with a wide range of issues including self-confidence; assertiveness; bereavement and loss; relatiionships; and stress management.
As a qualified CBT Therapist, NLP Master Practitioner, and a Master Hypnotherapist, Jo works with phobias, fears, addictions and behavioural issues.
Jo has also worked with childen from 5 to 18 years within an educational setting as well as through her private practice. Her training and experience of working with parents supports and enhances her work with children and she believes that working with parents is a fundamental factor in promoting the wellbeing of childen and an equable family life.
People are referred to Jo from a varfiety of setting from business; public and private sector organisations, educational establishments, ands the National Health Service. Jo is also happy to accept self-referral from private clients.
ETHICS
As a UKCP (United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy) registered therapist and a Member of BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) Jo is bound by, and abides by, the Ethical Framework for Good Practice of both professional bodies. The ethical frameworks and codes of good practice can be seen on the web sites of these organisations.
COUNSELLING TECHNIQUES
As mentioned above Jo uses a variety of techniques in her counselling according to the needs of the client. For those who would like further information about those techniques Jo has briefly outlined in the pages below what each of them involves.
