Aileen Doyle

I am passionate about talking therapy and also work in an NHS setting providing counselling services to people from all walks of life helping them with a large variety of issues they have been facing.

There can be a powerful effect when talking to a therapist who is empathic and non judgemental because it can help people get perspective in their lives and allow them the space to make decisions about the things that affect them. I am used to dealing with issues ranging from extreme crisis situations to helping people who feel a bit stuck in their lives.

What I can help with

Anger, Alcohol abuse, Anxiety, Bereavement, Bullying, Cultural issues, Drug abuse, Depression, Diversity, Eating disorders, Existential, Family problems, Fertility issues, Fibromyalgia, General counselling, Gender issues, Health related issues, Identity, Loss, Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Relationship problems, Self-esteem, Self-harm, Suicide, Sexuality, Sexual abuse, Stress, Trauma, Worry, Work concerns,

(please note you may be dealing with one specifically however it isn’t uncommon to have more than one with possible crossover between them).

I would describe my approach as Person Centred and Relational with an underpinning of Humanistic and Psycho-dynamic theoretical approaches:-

This means that I work with you in a non-judgemental, empathic manner and in our therapeutic relationship together we look to explore your personal growth and progress by looking at you as a whole person and exploring your inner feelings whilst also being aware of the influences of your early life. 

Depression- is not feeling fed up or unhappy for a few days. When you are feeling depressed you can feel unhappy for weeks or months and this can show itself by feeling tearful, anxious, loss of interest in things you used to enjoy and can affect appetite, libido and close relationships. The NHS estimates that one in ten people of any gender or age will suffer depression at some point in their lives.

Self esteem-  If you have ever thought of yourself as (for example) weak, ugly, stupid, not good enough, worthless, inferior to other people, unlovable, or a failure then you might have a problem with self-esteem. People with low self-esteem can have a negative opinion of themselves and judge themselves negatively as a person. Sometime these beliefs are deep seated and can arise from early childhood experiences when our emotional needs were not met. However, those with previously good self-esteem can also be affected as an adult when they encounter negative experiences later in life.

Anxiety and worry- are closely connected. We get anxious when we feel threatened in any way which can then make us fearful. Fear is an instinct that can protect us from dangerous situations i.e. we can run away or physically defend ourselves, so it is a natural human instinct. When we worry about the “what ifs”?  and there is no immediate threatening situation, then anxiety can arise and become a problem. Worrying can cause us to be stuck in negative thinking where we can have repetitive negative thoughts about the present and the future. This then causes anxiety(and then sometimes, depression) and can affect work, relationships, friendships, study, and finances; amongst others.

Trauma

Sometimes if we have early childhood or adult experiences that traumatise us it can change how we behave and see the world. These events could be anything; domestic violence, sexual assault, general violence, witnessing a traumatic event, traffic accident, bullying, death, illness, birth, hospital experience, drugs, injury. In fact, anything that causes deep distress and can leave you feeling socially disconnected, numb and unable to trust.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder -PTSD

Can be described as a response that some people develop following a distressing event and can include flashbacks, anger and irritation, nightmares, sleep difficulties, anxiety, loss of self-esteem, depression and emotional detachment. When the brain works normally we use language to store memories in the pre frontal cortex of the brain so we can store experiences cognitively; using reason. Occasionally the brain finds it hard to process trauma and freezes so that the raw feelings are trapped in the emotional (Limbic) system of the body where it can be easily triggered by the  present even though the trauma might have happened a long time ago.

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprogramming- EMDR

This is a psychotherapy treatment recommended by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) and World Health Organisation (WHO). The treatment helps you to reprocess traumatic memories in a way that takes away any of the upsetting emotional feelings linked to the event. So by stimulating the left and right side of the brain  using eye movements, tapping or auditory stimulus, the trauma eventually get stored away so that we can remember what happened but not experience the disturbing feelings. You will not have to talk about the event just give a sentence that expresses the worst part of the trauma and any negative belief you might have about yourself. The therapist will then take you through the rest of the treatment. Some people need a few sessions whilst others might need more as we all experience things differently.

Counselling £50 per 50 minute session

EMDR £70 per 90 minute session.