Inside my office
A Counselling Approach that can address a wide range of issues
I trained at the Institute of Psychosynthesis in London. This was an intensive training lasting six years. I hope you are not put off by the title! I explain about it below.
I spent quite some time researching various approaches to counselling before deciding to train in Psychosynthesis.
As a professional I place high importance on having a sound theoretical base to inform my work.
The Psychosynthesis approach, with its inclusion of key concepts of the Person-centred and Psychodynamic approaches, ‘ticked all the boxes’ that would equip me to fully address a wide range of issues.
The therapy I offer is tailored to each client’s specific needs and is both informed and inspired by these three main approaches. They are briefly outlined below.
The Psychosynthesis Approach
This approach offers a unique perspective to help you understand and transform the dilemmas of your life.
The main aims include guiding you towards:
- Resolving your current difficulty
- Finding freedom to express express yourself as fully as possible
- Realising more of your potential
- Helping you live your life with as much purpose and meaning as possible.
It is a highly skilled, creative and effective yet gentle approach.
It is best understood and appreciated from direct experience of this kind of therapy with me at Galgorm Counselling.
As well as meeting your immediate needs to address your issues you could find the experience enlightening and enriching.
You can find this approach explained further in Podcast 2 (see Resources page).
The Psychodynamic Approach
Applying this approach means that I can help you with issues related to your past. Also, I can identify underlying issues from your past that could be contributing to your current difficulties.
I have embedded a Talk by Dr Leslie Carr in the Resources page because I fully agree with the speaker’s belief in the value of this approach and how she explains it.
Her closing statement sums up the essence of how I see my clients:
“I believe you are someone who is worth getting to know.”
The Person-centred Approach
This approach informs the basis of all my work and includes:
- Unconditional Positive Regard. This means that I will treat you with acceptance, respect and not judge you.
- Empathy. I will strive to tune in to what it’s like to be in your shoes. This means that you will feel really heard, understood and validated, maybe for the first time ever!
- Congruence. I will be honest and genuine with you. This can help you build trust in me and also enables you to understand yourself and be more true to yourself.
Valerie helped me in such a lovely, calm, caring and gentle way to understand myself. (From a client’s testimonial)
About my Ethical Practice, Professional Development and Activities
Ethical Practice
As a Member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), I follow their code of professional conduct and their ethical framework to ensure my professionalism at all times.
Confidentiality is paramount in my practice and is explained at our first meeting.
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) 2018
My privacy policy and compliance to GDPR is available on request.
Professional Development
Supervision
I attend supervision once a month to ensure I am offering the best for my clients and I value having my work supervised by a leading expert.
Courses
Professional Development courses together with ongoing reading and research continue to enhance my skills and techniques.
Professional Activities
As a qualified Supervisor I supervise the work of trained counsellors.
I worked part-time as a Counselling Tutor for 12 years, teaching on all levels, including Foundation Degree and Level 6 courses.
I have designed and delivered Continuing Professional Development workshops for Counsellors