Why Individual Counselling or Psychotherapy?

Counselling and psychotherapy aim to help people towards better ways of living that allows them to flourish and establish relationships for themselves that are supportive and enriching. Counsellors and therapists offer a safe confidential space in which options can be explored away from friends and family who, however well intentioned, may not be able to provide the necessary help in understanding and changing.

Therapists are people who can listen and, through gentle questioning, as well as encouragement, help people to understand their difficulties in ways that allow them to feel safe and see ways forward that might help them. It is the insight and experience gained from this that allows for small-scale experiments with possible alternatives that are the foundations of effective change, especially change that seeks to be far reaching and comprehensive.

How Do I know if I Need Counselling or Psychotherapy?

Signs that we need help are that we are caught in repeating patterns of destructive behavior, perhaps finding relationships difficult, maybe trapped in a relationship or career we do not want, or finding it difficult to cope, overwhelmed by distress, fear or anxiety. Without help crises can escalate, long-term problems fester and unwanted behaviour continue.

Common Reasons for Seeking Help

• Relationship difficulties whether at home or work
• Recurring unwanted feelings such as anger, anxiety, depression, helplessness or low self-esteem
• Struggles with grief
• The desire to change unwanted and destructive behaviour such as self-harming or excessive drinking
• Abuse
• The search for a better life through growing and developing
• Any other problem that you think might benefit from being discussed with someone

What is the Difference Between Counselling and Psychotherapy?

Counselling and psychotherapy are both modes of enquiry and understanding facilitated by therapists. Counselling for individuals provides psychological help and support to them in making effective changes at times of difficulty or crisis. Psychotherapy provides psychological help and support for problems that are more intractable and long standing, requiring a deeper understanding and a longer process of change to find a better way of living.

Tips for Successful Counselling

• An important part of therapy is learning to face problems and difficulties so it is important to be open with your therapist as to what is going on. A counsellor or therapist can only help you with what you tell them!
• Take time to make some notes after the session as to what you learned, found helpful and would like to remember.
• Take time during the week to note down thoughts and feelings, as well as dreams that seem important and bring them to your therapy session.
• Recognise that therapy is not only a process but part of life, it can take time and commitment to change things.
• Since one of the reasons for undertaking therapy is that our existing way of doing things is not working, be prepared to look at things in new ways and eventually try new things.
• Finally, individual therapy is about you, about what you can do, it cannot change other people but it can help you deal with them, and help you find richer more rewarding relationships in general.

How Many Sessions Will I Need?

As counsellors and psychotherapists we undertake short and long term work. Usually we start with a block of between four and six sessions as the initial number of sessions to clarify the problem and find out what is needed. The frequency of sessions varies with the nature of the problem and initially will normally be weekly. Where this is not suitable we seek to find viable alternatives.

Do You Provide Counselling or Psychotherapy by Phone?

While we may work with clients by email or Skype if they travel for work or move from Edinburgh, we do not take on telephone clients as a matter of course.

How Can I Find Out More About Counselling and Psychotherapy?

You can call and email us with any questions you have and if you would like to meet us before starting therapy with us, we would be happy to arrange a session to talk things through.

Costs And Duration

• Counselling Conversations for Individuals cost £70*.
• Counselling Conversations last for 50 minutes unless otherwise agreed.

*The full fee will be payable unless 48 hours notice of cancellation is given, this may be waived at the discretion of Counselling Conversations