George Dickinson PGDip, MBACP

It is my belief that counselling is a relationship within which you can safely face up to the way you are living and open yourself up to the possibility of doing things differently. This means collaboratively working to bring to light and challenge the habits you have developed over the years that, whilst at one time did you a world of good, are now preventing you from leading a full life. I will be with you through your struggles, not afraid of your pain or sadness, as a companion in a relationship of acceptance, healing and growth. This is not a one size fits all approach, but instead one built up with you that can, when appropriate, be a place of energy and humour; experimenting with new ways of relating to others and the world.

Sometimes we need to gently rock the boat to find a new equilibrium from which we can live a more meaningful life. This could mean being daring and testing out new ways of being; some examples might be trying out such things as saying “no” to the demands of others, stating needs, voicing anger or allowing oneself to feel vulnerability. It could even be looking at difficult and frightening experiences together, with a fresh lens, to change how we relate to our past. This is not only to say that my approach is only one of looking to change, but also one to bring into awareness what it is about you and your life that brings you happiness and what it is that you makes you unique. Whatever you have been doing, it has brought you this far and that is nothing to be sniffed at. My approach integrates identifying and moving toward change with deepening your empathy for yourself, to encompass you in your entirety in the pursuit of deeper satisfaction from life.

I draw on Existential, Gestalt and Person-Centred ideas working holistically to see the whole person as a total combination of mind, body and their relationships. This can lead to working with experienced sensations within our body, emotions and thoughts as they arise in the moment to make an active and creative counselling experience. If you think this holistic approach might be the right one for you please get in touch to book an initial meeting session.