Hello, my name is Louise and I am an Integrative Counsellor registered with, and a member of, The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and I am bound by their codes and ethics as a counsellor. You can view my profile by selecting "Who Am I?" from the menu above.
As an experienced therapist I have had the privilege of witnessing a wide spectrum of positive outcomes. However, at the core of all of the desirable consequences that can result from counselling therapy is the Therapeutic Alliance. To be effective, sufficient trust must be achieved between the counsellor and the client so as to enable the creation of a mutually open relationship. If such a relationship can be established then the opportunities for growth are limitless. The eminent American psychologist, Carl Rogers, listed the key factors that must be present for a Therapeutic Alliance to flourish; genuineness, empathy and positive self regard. With friends, family or colleagues establishing a relationship based on these factors is intrinsically difficult. In our lives we adopt different roles (mother, father, lover, sister, brother, son, daughter, peace-maker, protector, provider, problem-solver, joker etc...) and have established attachments that make it difficult for all parties to engage in this kind of relationship and the inherent sense of vulnerability that this can bring.
A counsellor uses his or her experience, training and knowledge to develop an environment in which all states are welcome including anger, sadness and despair. In short, the emergence of your Authentic Self.