Choosing a Therapist
Choosing a therapist is a personal matter.
Mind, the mental health charity, suggests that you ask a potential
therapist about a number of areas. I will now cover these, to help you
to make up your mind.
QUALIFICATIONS.
My qualifications include an M.Sc. in Psychotherapy, a Postgraduate
Diploma in Psychosexual Therapy, a Diploma in Counselling and a Diploma
in Eating Disorders. I also have an Academic Diploma in Educational
Psychology and Sociology.
It is an advantage, I think, to have something of a Psychological background
and also to have studied within a N.H.S. Hospital, as I did for my psychosexual
training. The psychosexual training is also a training in working with
couples; it is good to have this, as couples work is very different
from individual therapy. In the Whittington Hospital, I also learned
about the Cognitive approach to therapy whose usefulness has been particularly
supported by research. I have also studied spirituality and psychotherapy
for an Advanced Diploma in Psychotherapy. I have only very recently
been studying issues around eating, weight and nutrition, as I have
noticed that such matters are increasingly mentioned in therapy.
MEMBERSIP OF PROESSIONAL BODIES AND ACCREDITATION.
I am a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy,
and I am accredited by this organisation as a Counsellor and Psychotherapist.
Accreditation is an exacting process whereby you have to convince your
association that you have studied to a prescribed level, have a certain
level of experience, and are in supervision and attain satisfactory
professional standards. To maintain it, you have to show that you are
involved in continuing professional development. I am also a member
of the British Association of Sexual and Relationship therapists.
CODE OF ETHICS.
I work to the Codes of Ethics of the above societies.
EXPERIENCE
I have been a therapist since 1993. I have worked with individuals
and clients on a wide range of difficulties and issues. Depression,
anxiety and phobias are frequently met. Addictions are often encountered
including alcohol, drug, and sex addictions. My clients come from all
age groups and sectors of society. I have worked with heterosexual,
bisexual and lesbian and gay clients. People also consult me to explore
their potential and to make important decisions. Self esteem and body
image issues seem to be becoming more common. Couples and individuals
come to work on relationships, and I also, in my capacity as a psychosexual
therapist, deal with sexual difficulties. People also consult me over
anger management and I have a lot of experience in working with abuse
issues.
TYPE OF THERAPY OFFERED.
This is quite hard to define, as I believe that it is vital to evolve a form of therapy suited to the individual client, and consequently my way of working is quite flexible. I define myself as doing Humanist Integrative therapy. What I mean by the Humanistic part of this is that I try to work in a way which puts the clients’ wishes at the centre of therapy. I believe in an attitude of respect for the client, and my own experience shows me that clients possess enormous knowledge about their difficulties and how to resolve them. On the other hand, I can be quite active in the relationship when a client wants this and responds well to it. I am interested in finding ways to use ideas from Cognitive therapy, Psychodynamic therapy and Positive Psychology within a Humanistic framework.However, I don’t really think that there is any substitute for experience. The best way to see whether you would like to work with a therapist is to meet him or her and see what the experience is like for you. I am happy to enlarge upon any of these answers if you would like me to do so.