Geraldine McManus: Counselling Godalming

How to decide what you need?

Regardless of whether you are looking for Psychotherapy, Counselling, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy or Couple Counselling,

➢ You will have the opportunity to explore and to learn about your relationships, your emotions, thoughts and approaches to problem solving.
➢ You will have the opportunity to reflect on your issues and gain a different, impartial perspective.
➢ As client, you lead the way in terms of the subjects that are brought up and the time we take to work on them.
➢ You are welcome to phone for a brief chat to outline what you are looking for.

Short-term Counselling

For example, 6-12 weeks
If there is one specific current issue that you want to talk about, counselling for up to 12 weeks may be appropriate for you. When people come to me for counselling they often say they want to work on issues like anger management, anxiety or bereavement. However, sometimes when someone starts to explore these issues they can discover that there are deeper issues that they want to explore further and so wish to continue with psychotherapy.

Open-ended Psychotherapy or Counselling

If you have been struggling with a number of issues for some time you may want to consider coming for open-ended psychotherapy.
Undertaking psychotherapy is a little like embarking on training for a new career or profession. You may feel different and notice changes as soon as you begin the journey, but it is only further down the line you realize how far you have travelled.
Like many activities that are worthwhile, the extent to which you are ready to invest in psychotherapy represents what you will get out of it.

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

Cognitive behaviour therapy (or CBT) is a psychotherapeutic approach that aims to solve problems related to thoughts, feelings and behaviours through a goal oriented approach. CBT is often specifically focused on one particular issue within a limited time frame.

Homework and other self-help activities are often suggested to clients where appropriate.

Cognitive behaviour therapy is often recommended by GPs for issues like depression.

What about the challenges?

Starting to have counselling or therapy is a little bit like starting to do a new form of excercise. People often feel relieved and start to feel a benefit immediately, it might also feel unfamiliar and a uncomfortable at times, but you are investing in a process that brings longer term benefits.