Not sure what to expect?
What is Therapy?
Therapy, also called counselling and, or psychotherapy, is the process of meeting with a qualified therapist to resolve challenging and or problematic behaviours, beliefs, feelings, relationship issues, and/or somatic responses (sensations in the body). Through therapy, you can change self-destructive behaviours and habits, resolve painful feelings, improve your relationships, and more.
Though no one can tell you exactly what your therapy process will be like, from your first session you will contract how you will work together and establish goals for your therapy and determine the steps you will take to get there. Whether in individual, group, or family therapy, your relationship with your therapist is a confidential one and focuses not only on the content of what you talk about, but also the process.
You can expect that your qualified therapist will be someone who supports you, listens attentively, models a healthy and positive relationship experience, gives you appropriate feedback, and follows ethical framework/guidelines. Good therapy should be tailored to you and your experiences.
What is Counselling
Counselling is very much a talking therapy which involves a therapist who is trained in listening to you and helping you find ways to help you deal with emotional issues.
Sometimes the term "counselling" is used to refer to talking therapies in general, but counselling is also a type of therapy in its own right.
Counselling can help you cope and or deal with many issues, these can be around a mental health conditions, such as depression and or anxiety, an upsetting physical health condition, such as impending disability through military service. A difficult life event, such as a bereavement, a relationship breakdown, work-related stress or difficult emotions – for example, low self-esteem or anger and other issues, such as sexual identity.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us.
The NHS website describes;
Professor Mark Williams, former director of the Oxford Mindfulness Centre, says that mindfulness means knowing directly what is going on inside and outside ourselves, moment by moment.
"It's easy to stop noticing the world around us. It's also easy to lose touch with the way our bodies are feeling and to end up living 'in our heads' – caught up in our thoughts without stopping to notice how those thoughts are driving our emotions and behaviour," he says.
"An important part of mindfulness is reconnecting with our bodies and the sensations they experience. This means waking up to the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of the present moment. That might be something as simple as the feel of a banister as we walk upstairs.
"Another important part of mindfulness is an awareness of our thoughts and feelings as they happen moment to moment.
"It's about allowing ourselves to see the present moment clearly. When we do that, it can positively change the way we see ourselves and our lives."
Your Therapy
How long do I have to Wait?
Private therapy can often have shorter waiting lists than NHS or charity free counselling services. We understand that waiting for therapy can be incredibly challenging, and we want to support you in accessing the care and support you need in a timely and efficient manner.
If you are currently on a waiting list to access NHS or charity free counselling services, you are more than welcome to see a private therapist in the meantime. We can provide you with the support, guidance, and tools that you need to manage your mental health challenges in the interim.
As mentioned, once you start your NHS or charity free counselling sessions, you will need to end your private therapy sessions with us due to the limitations of dual relationships. However, if you feel that you still require further therapy after your free therapy sessions end, we are here to support you. Simply give us a call, and we will book you in for another session as soon as possible.
Our goal is to support you in accessing the mental health care and support you need, whether that is through private therapy, NHS or charity free counselling, or a combination of both. We are committed to helping you move forward in your life with greater clarity, purpose, and well-being.
Depression & Anxiety
We understand the impact that depression, fear, and anxiety can have on individual's well-being. At our therapy services, we aim to help individuals recover their sense of motivation, perspective, and joy in life through evidence-based counselling and psychotherapy. We believe that everyone has the potential to lead fulfilling lives, and we are here to support individuals in overcoming the challenges that are holding them back.
Through our therapy sessions, individuals can explore their thoughts and emotions in a safe and non-judgmental space, identify negative patterns of thinking and behaviour, and develop effective coping skills and strategies. We offer a range of evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Person Centred (PC), Gestalt, Mindfulness-based Therapies, and others that have been shown to be effective in treating depression, anxiety, and other common mental health concerns.
Our goal is to help individuals move forward in their lives with greater clarity, purpose, and joy. We believe that recovery is possible, and we are committed to providing the support and resources that individuals need to achieve optimal mental health and well-being.
Trauma & PTSD
it is common for individuals to experience a range of emotions after going through painful or traumatic events. Loss, bereavement, anxiety, fear, and hopelessness are just a few of the emotions that individuals may experience during the healing process. These emotions, if left unresolved, can lead to depression and other mental health concerns.
At our therapy services, we can help individuals overcome symptoms associated with painful and traumatic circumstances through counselling and psychotherapy. We provide a safe and supportive environment where individuals can explore their thoughts and emotions, develop coping skills, and gain a greater understanding of their experiences.
We understand that the healing process is unique to each individual, and we tailor our approaches to meet the specific needs of each client.
We offer our services in Bideford, as well as through telephone or online video sessions. This allows us to provide therapy services to individuals regardless of their location or circumstances. Our commitment is to support individuals through the process of grief and healing, taking care of their mental health, and helping them move forward towards a more fulfilling life.
Relationships
Relationship counselling can be highly beneficial to couples who are looking to strengthen or improve their emotional connection, communication, and intimacy. Our therapy services offer a supportive and non-judgmental space where couples can explore their issues, express their needs and concerns, and develop strategies to improve their relationship.
Our experienced couples therapists work with couples at all stages of their relationship, from newlyweds to those who have been together for many years. We understand that every relationship is unique and has its own set of challenges, and we tailor our approaches to meet the specific needs of each couple.
During therapy sessions, both partners are encouraged to participate actively in the process of exploring their communication styles, needs, and expectations. We provide a safe and supportive environment where couples can discuss their issues and concerns without fear of judgment or blame.
Our goal is to help couples build a stronger, more resilient relationship. We work towards developing communication skills, identifying areas of growth, and creating actionable steps towards improving the partnership. Whether you are looking to address specific issues or simply improve your overall relationship, we are here to support you every step of the way.
Military and Emergency Services
Yes, serving in the military or emergency services can be challenging and may result in experiences that can be difficult to share with others. It is understandable that you may feel alone, distressed, and anxious about sharing your emotions with others. Talking with a therapist can help you unburden yourself safely and process the complex emotions associated with your experiences.
At our therapy services, we have experienced therapists who work with military and emergency services personnel. We understand that you may have been trained to suppress your emotions, and that this can make it challenging to open up to others. Our goal is to provide a safe and non-judgmental space where you can talk about your experiences and feelings freely.
We understand that seeking help may feel difficult, but it can be a powerful step towards healing. Our therapists are highly trained, experienced, and committed to providing the highest quality of care to all our clients. If you are feeling alone or overwhelmed, we encourage you to reach out to us and take the first step towards healing and recovery.
You are not alone and you do not have to be.
Our therapist Tony, is a Veteran also, he was medically discharged from service and understand the difficulties in sharing thoughts and feelings.
We can look at how you manage and cope with certain feelings and how you can learn to share and express them without feeling vulnerable.