Petri Burton MCS (Accred.)

Petri Burton MCS (Accred.)
Break Free... Counselling & Psychotherapy
Norwich
Norfolk
NR5

tel: 07982 189697
Click here to Email me

Counsellor Profile

I am a fully qualified professional counsellor accredited formerly by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and more recently the Counselling Society. I welcome individuals and couples and offer short and long term work, longer sessions than the usual hour if required, email or telephone counselling. The counselling approach I use is humanistic integrative.* Please see below where you see this symbol (*) for a detailed explanation of what this means.

I provide a warm, caring and non-judgemental atmosphere in a private, tranquil location where you will be treated respectfully. I work according to strict confidentiality guidelines and professional standards required by the Counselling Society's code of ethics. I hold full professional insurance, undertake regular clinical consultation to ensure good practice and am committed to continuously updating my skills.

I see and work with the person behind the problem, not just treating the surface symptoms but also enabling deeper personal and spiritual exploration. This increases confidence, raises self-esteem and allows you to live more peacefully, authentically and mindfully.

If you do not see your particular difficulty listed please contact me anyway as there is a great chance I will have worked with people experiencing similar problems. Your difficulty does not make you who you are but it can affect how you think, feel and behave. I see my role as helping you unravel the difficulty and it's cause, exploring with you ways in which you can go forward relieved of the burden. Occasionally it may be impossible to completely resolve all conflict as life is challenging, but to find ways of managing it more effectively.

I believe that deep down you know what is best for you, but that in times of difficulty you are unable to access that inner wisdom. You may feel angry, depressed, confused, or like 'the rug has been pulled from under your feet'. Talking it over helps you to see clearly again and get on with your life in a way in which you feel back in control. As an interactive therapist I will enable you to explore your issues by asking things and encouraging you to express your feelings. Your sessions are personally tailored to suit your unique needs. At times I will just listen to you or wait until you are ready to share something with me. There is no right or wrong way to be a client and I welcome you just as you are. With your full motivation and commitment change truly is achievable.

The duration of your therapy can be anything from one session to many spanning several years, depending upon your own unique needs, issues, motivation and obstacles. Many people find 6 - 20 sessions are required; I believe you will know when you have been sufficiently helped.

Ask yourself where you will be in 4 weeks time - still where you are now - or well and truly on your way to a brighter future?

Please contact me for an informal, no obligation chat or email.

* My 'humanistic integrative' approach means that I draw intuitively from a number of established and proven counselling approaches to tailor your therapy to suit your needs. I use the person centred approach initially and throughout as this underpins all our work together, meaning I concentrate on our relationship, accepting you just as you are, respecting you and your issues, being honest with you, and trying to see your world through your eyes. I may use CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) to identify and modify negative automative thoughts, core beliefs, their accompanying feelings and behaviours. Sometimes tasks are set to complete in between sessions. I may use the work of Byron Katie to challenge your (where irrational) truth and reality, assumptions and world view, to reveal a truer assessment of your situation. I use the principles of mindfulness to combat stress by focusing awareness in the present moment on singular activity rather than the multiple tasks we often (stressfully) attempt. Through mindfulness we slow down, allow ourselves to experience and enjoy what we already have, see what we miss through haste, allowing life to become meaningful and fulfilling without the instant gratification of wanting more, wanting it now and wanting it quickly. I may use provocative counselling to challenge and provoke you into action, but always in a light-hearted way, with humour and respectfully. Gestalt counselling is drawn from to make explicit the 'here and now' of our relationship, to gently challenge to elicit 'stuck' material, use imagery, guided imagery, dialogical exchange, 'empty chair' technique, questionning generating further questionning, self-expression through many means including movement and creativity. Psychosynthesis - a blending together of all aspects of the psyche - ie. body, mind, feelings and spirit - is a truly holistic approach taking into account the whole person including spirituality (not necessarily in a religious sense). We explore what soul/spirit means to you in your life and aim to develop this further. People are often able to re-connect with their 'real self, core self, soul, spirit' which can be like a 'coming home' or 'reconnection'. This brings increased calm, peace, contentment, self reliance, self trust, and is an infinite source of life-enhancing inner wisdom, leading to raised confidence and self esteem. Solution focussed brief therapy may be used where there is a single issue that is not rooted into the past. We would look at how you see your problem both personally and factually, identify what needs to be done in order for you to achieve your desired outcome, and identify and work with obstacles that may arise.

(Please note: I have listed above the elements of these approaches that I
widely use, they are not intended as comprehensive descriptions of these approaches in their entirety, and there may be overlaps between approaches).

Some techniques I use are focussing, relaxation, suggested reading, imagery and guided imagery, journal keeping, letter writing, art/craft work, looking at photos, narrative writing, dialogical work, empty chair, mindfulness, thought/mood/action charts, to name but a few. All work is undertaken only with willingness on your part, in collaboration, no technique will be forced upon you.

Training, Qualifications & Experience (more info)

Diploma in Humanistic Integrative Counselling
Certificate in Couples Counselling
Certificate in introductory NLP

Shorter training in:
Drug Awareness
Loneliness
Spirituality
Rapid relief from PTSD

I underwent 3 years of personal therapy during training to free myself from the emotional baggage of a difficult childhood in order to be fully available to my clients. This turned my life around, allowing me to understand and accept my past and learn to value myself. I also experienced first hand what it is like to have counselling - the highs and lows that it can throw up. My personal journey has been nothing short of remarkable, allowing me the peace that comes from self acceptance and self belief. You too can have this this peace.

My professional experience spans 9 years and has been gained in an NHS GP surgery, a voluntary counselling agency and private practice.

Areas of counselling I deal with

Bipolar Disorder/Manic Depression

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Personality Disorders

Phobias

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Other areas of counselling I deal with

Identity issues, life transitions, parenting issues, perfectionism, spiritual unease, soul connection, hopelessness and enhancing your experience of life.

Please Note: Whilst I have successfully worked in the above listed counselling areas (and more) and have undergone some additional training, I do not regard myself as a 'specialist' in any area.

Fees

Individuals:
no obligation initial session £25
thereafter £35

Couples:
no obligation initial session £30
thereafter £45

Telephone counselling:
50 mins: £35

Email counselling:
2 emails read & replied to: £35

It may sometimes be possible for me to offer reduced fees to those in extreme financial hardship. Please ask for more details and be prepared to show proof of benefit (tax credits not included).

Extra Information

Evening and weekend appointments sometimes available.

Free car parking and disabled access.

Member Organisation(s)

BACP	- Last checked by Counselling Directory on: 30th June 2008