Caroline Harrison

Life can throw difficulties in our path that can leave us feeling frustrated, anxious, crushed and helpless.  Sometimes we can find ourselves feeling invisible, like an outsider or as if we don’t belong. The way we respond to problems may reveal deeper hurts, or unmet needs, causing emotional pain and a feeling of being lost.

Are you battling with anxiety and panic? Are you struggling to keep your head above water? Is your overthinking affecting your quality of life and ability to enjoy relationships? Are you scared that your relationship is coming to an end and you can’t imagine life alone? Perhaps you need help organising your thoughts and want to build greater confidence in asking what you need rather than reacting to what others need all the time? Or perhaps you need help recovering from childhood trauma? These are a few of the sorts of issues I help people with.  

I have gained considerable experience working and supporting people in particular who are struggling with relationship difficulties.  Personal and professional experience of trauma and abuse has instilled a passion and dedication in me to help those who have been similarly affected.

My model is integrative – it is rooted in person centred principles with psychodynamic insights.  In simple terms, I firstly believe that just as people can be hurt in relationships, so to can they be healed in a healthy therapeutic relationship where compassion, empathy and unconditional positive regard are modelled by the counsellor and in doing so, trust can be built.  My model integrates Attachment theory, Transactional Analysis, Cognitive Behavioural principles and Somatic interventions, depending on the unique needs of each person. I have outlined below some of the ways I may help people, but the most important thing for me is respecting the autonomy of my clients and allowing them to choose the issues they wish to address.

Understanding relationship dynamics: Some people ask me "how come sometimes I feel like I'm a little kid again?" or "why do I find myself acting like my Mum or Dad?" or perhaps "why do I continue to attract toxic people?"  We then explore what may be taking place in their relationships.  I help individuals to identify repetitive patterns of feelings, thoughts, and behaviours.  For some, they may realise that they took on a particular family role e.g., scapegoat, hero, rescuer or lost child.  I can help people to understand this more fully, to set appropriate boundaries to protect themselves and begin to break the cycle of unhealthy relationship patterns.

Somatic interventions: People often want to develop greater understanding of why they are experiencing certain symptoms such as flashbacks, panic attacks, negative thought patterns, low mood and hypervigilance. I can help you manage what’s going on in your body and how this relates to mental health. I may use guided imagery, deep breathing and other somatic interventions to help you learn to regulate your nervous system.  Learning how to feel safe in your body, how to learn to sit with uncomfortable stress responses until they pass and for some people, learning how to feel safe with other people, are probably the single most important aspects of mental health.

Inner Child work: Your Inner Child is the echo of the child you once were. We each have our own history and we have all been influenced by our environment, events and the significant people around us. We will have made ‘decisions’ at a sub-conscious level, about how we ‘should’ be and what we ‘should’ do in order to be seen as OK and to survive in our families. Our later experiences can reinforce these beliefs and formed our own ‘Script’ for how our life ‘should be’. It is sometimes helpful to revisit the experiences of the child we once were. This allows us to work through painful feelings and give the responsibility, shame and guilt back to whom it belongs.

Creative Tools: Sometimes, it’s really difficult to find the words for the things that have happened to us in life – experiences can be too painful to put in to words. Working creatively in therapy can enable you to find a voice where perhaps you struggle to hear yourself. I can carefully help to release feelings or emotions through using creative tools such as drawing, shells, stones, nesting dolls. For some people, it can bring a possible self in to existence or be a means to survive and recover from difficult circumstances.

Counselling can firstly offer a safe space; it can be a buffer for present stressors or the calm in the storm. I may not be able to make the storm go away, but being understood by another without judgement can be a powerful catalyst for change. It will also help you begin to understand yourself much better and help you to cope in difficult circumstances. Importantly, I will equip you with the skills to manage uncomfortable stress responses in your body and you will develop healthier coping strategies. In doing so, you will build resilience and find some inner peace.

If you’ve read this and it sounds like we could work together then please do get in touch with me. I will arrange for you to have a free 30-minute telephone conversation where we can talk about what you need. There is no obligation for you to continue – it’s most important for you to find the right counsellor. I offer both short term and longer-term counselling.

I am a fully trained and qualified counsellor. As a registered member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), I work according to their ethical framework.  I am also a registered member of the Association of Christian Counsellors (ACC).  I see clients who have a faith and those of no faith.

Initial 30 minute telephone call available without charge.

I offer short term and long term counselling