Margaret Madden

I am a Humanistic Integrative Counsellor/Psychotherapist currently working in Watford and Crouch End.

My flexible approach to counselling means I can adapt to the number of sessions available and presenting issues. While working in a short-term-way I utilize a more solution focused counselling model. For more in-depth intrinsic issues I offer more open-ended counselling where possible.  I attune my counselling service to suit my clients.

I have worked with a wide range of issues including clients who have chronic and enduring mental ill health, clients who have experienced domestic violence and currently work with clients who have experienced loss and bereavement, anxiety, panic attacks, depression and low self esteem. I also offer counselling to clients who have experienced pet bereavement and loss.

First session

I start by outlining the perimeters of the counselling service thereby establishing a safe and secure environment to enable clients to tell their stories.
From here I create a contract and strive to ensure structure and firm boundaries which helps my clear way of working with clients.

How counselling can help

My role as a counsellor is not to offer a solution to the clients’ issues but to assist them in seeing themselves more clearly by looking at all aspects of their thinking, both positive and negative  - thought patterns depending on the conditions of worth they were given as children. The observation of verbal and nonverbal communication through active listening enables me to empathise, reflect and summarise observations back to the client this encourages them to see the reality of their way of being.

By responding and clarifying what my clients are telling me I can interpret the underlying meaning of their expression. I feel there are layers to  clients’ stories and each time we explore layers the client may discover a different way of seeing things. As the work continues I will endeavour to assist clients to find new meaning to old attitudes and behaviour with the hope of encouraging new creative and self-nurturing ways of being and empowering and facilitating positive growth. As the work becomes more established, I encourage the client to look at patterns and explore whether these patterns are still of benefit to them in their current lives and if not to assist them to find ways to change these patterns.