I believe that talking helps. It sounds simple but I know, having gone through personal therapy myself during my training, that it is not as easy as it sounds. Counselling is not only my profession but also my vocation. I am interested and curious about others; what makes us similar and what makes us different from one another.
In my private practice, I see clients from all walks of life. People come to me not sure if counselling will help them at all or with "something" that needs to be fixed. Some clients expect me to give them an answer about what to do; my professional and ethical code do not allow me to do this. What I can give you is a safe space, a moment, for yourself where you can be as honest as you can with... yourself. My job is to be there with you, to facilitate your self-awareness and understanding.
Having lived in different countries and continents have opened my eyes to the impact that diversity has had on me and the impact of me being "different" has had on others. I speak English, Spanish and Italian; I am familiar with different cultures and ways of doing while trying to be me. I welcome clients from all backgrounds and nationalities. There is much to explore when it comes to feelings of belonging, new identity, fitting in and of course missing what we do not have any more; what we have lost. Transitioning from one culture to another is something I am familiar with. There is much adapting to be done, a lot of transforming and integrating. Change can be hard and uncomfortable, even when it is chosen.
This is not very different from counselling. To me counselling is a process of exploring, transforming, integrating. It is a journey of discovery, perhaps discovering what was already in plain sight.
My Training and Qualifications
Continuous Professional Development and Training are an essential aspect of my professional development. Some of my most recent learnings are:
I am fully insured against public liability and have an enhanced DBS check.