Sally Turberville Smith
Dipl. Psych, BA Hons, MBACP, UKCP
Often in life the first step is the hardest. Making the decision to seek professional help can feel daunting, but ultimately, I believe it is a courageous act. We all experience times when we feel afraid, anxious and vulnerable. Intense feelings of anger, shame, guilt and struggles with addictive substances or behaviours should not be things we have to manage alone. Change and loss are inevitable and part of the human condition, but so is joy and having the courage to work 'with yourself' and embrace a new beginning or life stage.
Counselling whether you are coming as an individual or as a couple can help you build a more loving and resilient relationship with yourself. It can help you take risks, open up, manage and process difficult feelings, give you time to grieve for past or current losses and provide tools to help you feel more centred, calm and peaceful.
There are no quick fixes in therapy, but I do believe that the examined life is richer and much more interesting, especially if we have the courage and commitment to confront what frightens or limits us and embrace a new narrative to live by.