Don’t expect to lie on a sofa or couch. I work with us sitting face to face.
Psychotherapy and counselling are talking therapies. They are names for what happens when you undertake to meet with a therapist at a set time and in the same place with the mutual aim of exploring your world with in order to work through issues that hold you back in life.
The words psychotherapy and counselling are broadly interchangeable. Differences between them are debateable, but psychotherapy may be longer-term, more in-depth, and perhaps addressing multiple issues. Counselling might be shorter-term and take place with the specific aim of addressing one key area or issue.
Counselling can be helpful if you generally cope well with life but are experiencing recent difficulties or feel ready to make personal or professional changes. Typically, counselling lasts from 6 to 24 sessions and is an opportunity to talk through specific problems. It provides support whilst you are making decisions and going through transitions, or it is simply a quiet space to reflect. I do not give advice but help you to express yourself, consider your options and find your own answers.
Psychotherapy tends to be more in-depth and long-term. Psychotherapy explores root causes of problems particularly childhood issues and relationship with parents.
You are invited to talk about all aspects of yourself - your past experiences, current relationships, future ambitions, emotional life, values, beliefs also your dreams and creative pursuits. It is hoped that the relationship which develops between you and your therapist will facilitate a better understanding of yourself and how you interact with others. Defences will be confronted, underlying anxieties explored and often intense feelings are experienced. Through making connections with defences, anxieties and your true feelings you can develop a new “self-awareness”: a new way of seeing and experiencing yourself and others. Psychotherapy may continue for months or several years, depending on individual needs. Most clients who have experienced difficulties for many years value a long-term approach.
To get in touch, you can contact me by telephone on 07962 892060 or by email
at tricia@bristol-psychotherapycounselling.co.uk.