Starting therapy can bring up questions, especially when you are unsure where to begin. Below are answers to common questions about individual therapy, couples work, EMDR and the practical first steps at Relational Solution Counselling.
The practice works with individuals and couples who may be feeling stuck, overwhelmed or caught in repeating patterns in their lives or relationships. You may be dealing with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, stress, trauma, panic, phobias, relationship difficulties or challenging life experiences. You do not need to have everything clearly worked out before beginning.
Services include talking therapy for individuals, couples therapy, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing), and Attachment-Focused EMDR for difficulties connected with early experiences and relationships. The work is tailored to your needs, goals and the issues you want to explore.
Most sessions are held online. Occasional face-to-face appointments are available in North and Central London.
The first session is a chance to understand what has brought you to therapy and what you would like to change. You do not need to know exactly what is wrong or where to start. Together, you can explore what may be happening beneath the surface, identify patterns that may be keeping you stuck and agree what you would like to work towards.
Talking therapy provides a confidential, non-judgemental space to explore what you are feeling, make sense of recurring patterns and consider practical changes. The approach can draw on person-centred, psychodynamic and Internal Family Systems-informed work, depending on your needs, personality and goals.
EMDR is a structured, evidence-based therapy for when difficult experiences continue to affect how you feel, think or react in the present. A distressing memory and the thoughts, feelings and beliefs connected with it are explored while using eye movements, sounds or another form of bilateral stimulation. You remain in control, do not need to describe every detail, and work proceeds at a manageable pace.
Attachment-Focused EMDR may be helpful when early experiences still affect how you feel about yourself or relate to others. It focuses on early relationships, childhood experiences and beliefs that developed from them, such as feeling unsafe, not good enough or unable to trust others. Clear childhood memories are not required; the work can also begin with present-day emotions, body sensations and felt experience.
EMDR may be helpful for trauma and PTSD, anxiety and panic, phobias, distressing memories, low self-esteem, OCD, shame, eating disorders, relationship difficulties, performance anxiety and experiences that still trigger strong emotional reactions. An initial assessment is used to discuss whether EMDR is likely to be suitable and how it may be used.
Couples therapy is designed to help you understand patterns such as recurring arguments, withdrawal, defensiveness, mistrust or disconnection. Sessions have a clear focus and may draw on approaches including the Gottman Method, Imago Relationship Therapy, the Developmental Model and Esther Perel’s work. You will work on practical ways to communicate differently, understand each other more clearly and express what you need.
It is usually suggested that couples begin with six sessions, providing structure and a point to review progress towards their goals. Six sessions are not a limit; therapy can continue for as long as the work remains helpful. Individual sessions may also be integrated where beneficial.
You can arrange a complimentary 15-minute Zoom call to discuss what you are looking for and whether we may be a good fit.
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