How Humanistic Psychotherapy & Counselling Can Help

In humanistic psychotherapy and counselling there are two essential components of the therapeutic experience: healing contact and exploration.

Within the confidentiality and safety of the therapeutic relationship we can explore those issues and memories closest to our hearts. At the outset of therapy this contact can bring a rich sense of relief and encourage us to delve deeper.

Through works such as ‘I and Thou', the philosopher Martin Buber had a profound influence upon the development of humanistic psychotherapy and counselling. For him the most important task of the therapist was to meet and engage with the client as ‘Thou': A unique, precious being. He believed that healing took place in ‘the between' of authentic and deep encounter.

As the therapeutic relationship deepens the key formative experiences of our lives, past & present, are explored, with particular regard to how they affect us through our feelings, beliefs and behaviours. This is at times uncomfortable, especially where we re-experience suppressed feelings from the past, or become aware of behaviours that are perpetuating our dissatisfaction and suffering.

However, being supported with compassion to explore can be a healing experience, which encourages a growing confidence to experiment and find ways of being which will improve the quality of your life.

Where the issue that brings you to therapy is a bereavement or other significant loss, I will seek to support you in your grief, healing and understanding of these disturbing and painful experiences.

Where appropriate, I provide EMDR for the reprocessing of traumatic memories which are negatively affecting your functioning, well-being and your beliefs about yourself. For more information about EMDR Please Click Here.

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