Dianna Carruthers

Dianna Carruthers
Southsea
Portsmouth
Hampshire
PO4

tel: 02392830558
Click here to Email me

Counsellor Profile

Hello, I'm Dianna Carruthers and thank you for choosing to read more about me and my work.

I have been practising as a psychotherapist, counsellor and supervisor for over 30 years now, as well as being a trainer in communication and counselling. I first started in the field of psychotherapy through my own personal development. I was wanting to feel more confident in myself and generally to have better relationships with others. After a short while of group work and individual therapy, I felt the changes in me. I continued working on myself as I was achieving what I wanted and as a result, 2 years later, I started my training. Working on myself is now an integral part of who I am and a way of life. These years on, my interest and love for my work conintues and is a source of great satisfaction.

The focus of my work is the enhancement of each person's relationship with him/herself as well as with others, facilitating a greater level of self-management in their daily life. The more we know ourselves the better able we are to identify what does and doesn't work for us and gives us a base from which to explore alternatives.

Psychotherapy, or counselling, is a process and each person's relationship to this process is unique and personal to them. Therefore there is no set format: I work with who you are and what is happening for you. The things you want to talk about may be external to you or directly about you. Whatever they are, identifying the underlying issues and establishing the pace and approach that is right for you to explore these, are vital parts of how I work.

As well as holding a professional perspective and boundary, being 'human' with those who come to see me is important to me. Talking to someone that you don't know about issues that are personal -and perhaps you have not talked to anyone else about before - isn't necessarily easy. I do not make negative judgements as my belief is that we all try to do the best we can. Sometimes, though, that 'best' may not ultimately work for us and therefore limit our personal options. Discovering if this is so, and exploring new possibilities within ourselves, is an integral part of the therapeutic process.

The personal qualities I bring to my work are sensitivity, directness, warmth and humour, as well as integrity and respect for others and their individual values and beliefs.

Training, Qualifications & Experience (more info)

Professional background -
I have been in private practice since 1975 working with individuals, couples, pairings (see below*), groups and organisations as well as being a trainer and consultant in the field of communication and counselling. I provide professional and workplace supervision and am an External Examiner for the graduates of the Training Programme in Pscyhotherapy at Spectrum in London. I am also a School Governor.
I was the founding partner of 'The Centre in Portsmouth', the first centre of its kind in the area. I ran this innovative psychotherapy and complementary health practice successfully for 22 years where I also headed a team of 6 pscyhotherapists. It was known for its high standards of professionalism and expertise.

[*Pairings
What I mean by pairings is any relationship that you have with another, such as -

work colleagues
friends
mother/daughter/son
father/daughter/son
siblings
any familial relationship

These relationships may be experiencing a difficulty or may be working well enough but you just want to make it even better.]

My qualifications are -
Accredited psychotherapist
UKCP registered
Approved Supervisor
External Examiner for the Training Programme in Psychotherapy at Spectrum in London.

My training covers -
All aspects of humanstic psychotherapy
Formative psychology/therapy
Body-oreinted therapies
Group work training
Couples training
Anger management
Sexuality
Supervision
Sexual abuse
Brief therapy
Sexual diversity
Equal opportunities
Meditation
Rituals in Family Therapy

I have a strong commitment to ongoing professional development, my own professional supervision and personal therapy, all of which take place in London. I gladly engage in these as they are a strong source of support and interest as well as an integral part of my belief system regarding good professional practice.

My experience -
My experience as a psychotherapist has been in a great number of different areas. These cover a lot of life's challenges and difficulties that are inherited or present themselves to us.
I have extensive experience as a trainer, training consultant and as a supervisor/consultant for the proprietors of small businesses.

Areas of counselling I deal with

Other areas of counselling I deal with

Professional supervision for those working with people individually and/or in groups
Work-place supervision both in the public and private sectors
Supervisor/consultant for those running small businesses
I run a fortnightly ongoing Women's Group entitled 'Being More of Who I Am'

Member Organisation(s)

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