Counselling and Psychotherapy

The Awareness Centre provides counselling, psychotherapy and psychosexual therapy for NHS and private practice clients. We work with individuals, couples, families and groups.

What is Counselling? There are many different types of counselling. What they have in common is that they are all treatments based on talking to another person. Counselling is a confidential relationship that provides you with a safe and consistent space in which to explore and understand particular issues and difficulties. It can help you resolve emotional conflict, change negative thinking and behaviour, and support you in making positive choices. Counselling can help integrate difficult and painful experiences, enabling you to enjoy a more fulfilling relationship with yourself and others.

Do you need to be mentally ill or very depressed to have counselling?

No. It’s true some people turn to counselling in times of crisis. However, other people come to counselling saying things like: “I feel stuck in my life” or “Something’s wrong, but I don’t know what it is”. What can be valuable in counselling is the opportunity to express yourself to someone who is separate from the rest of your life, who won’t be overwhelmed or shocked by what you say, and won’t start telling you what to do.

Why should I see a counsellor when I can just talk to my friends?

There are times when the sharing and understanding of a good friend may be just what you need. However when the degree of emotional pain and the severity of symptoms suggest a problem of greater depth, then your pain, anger or confusion may be too painful for a friend to listen to without judgement. Even the best of friends may want you to cheer up or to not go on about the same thing for too long. But sometimes it is important to not cheer up and to keep going on until things are really understood. That is when you may need the help of a professional listener.

Counselling will allow you to address such issues as:

• Abuse and Domestic Violence
• ADD/ADHD
• Addictions/Compulsions
• Alcohol and/or Drug Misuse
• Anger
• Anxiety and Stress
• Bereavement and/or Loss
• Depression/Post Natal Depression
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
• Recurrent or Chronic Illness
• Relationship Difficulties
• Self Esteem
• Sex And Relationships
• Sexual Dysfunction
• Sexuality
• Work Related Issues