Welcome

It has been 12 months since I opened the door to my therapy space and welcomed clients to my practice. I now feel it’s time to welcome readers to my Blog Page.

The aim of this page is to educate, highlight current topics, promote mental health awareness and provide insight into the world of counselling from both a counsellor and client perspective.

So, how have I got to this juncture in my life?

My interest in counselling initially came from a personal interest, specifically to support my kids through their teenage years. This progressed into a professional interest and qualification coincided with my offspring becoming independent, promoting the chance for a new career path. Qualifying in what could be said to be the ‘mature’ stage of my life, has allowed to me bring a wealth of personal experience into my role.

Integrative training opened my eyes to the varied theoretical approaches and models that are employed in counselling practice. Training provided a gateway to exercise the models that I leaned towards and those I would carry forward.

During my final year of training, I quickly realised that I was passionate about working as a private practitioner and in February 2023, my practice name was finalised, and my space was ready, alongside directory listings. Time Out seems apt with an hour to take time out for you, the client, which is purely for your benefit.

Working in private practice has granted access to clients that with a variety of presenting issues and has provided a platform for further development for me, as a counsellor. As a counsellor, I personally feel that I am always in a state of learning, and this is a highly satisfying part of the counselling role.

Counselling primarily is ‘talking therapy’ and can be viewed as a process or journey. Self-awareness development is a key component in the process and facilitates a positive mindset. Furthermore, the counselling or therapeutic relationship is a strange one to define but is often referred to as a therapeutic alliance. Within this relationship, clients can express themselves openly without judgment. The counselling relationship helps to empower clients with the counsellor providing the core conditions of Empathy, Congruence (authentic/genuine) and Unconditional Positive Regard (acceptance without judgment or criticism).

To add value to this process, I believe an appropriate therapeutic space is key. I have built and designed my room (with the support of family) with the sole intention of it being a safe, confidential and tranquil environment.

Counselling may not be for all. For individuals that are thinking of having sessions, it must be stressed that you need to be ready and willing to engage and embrace the experience. Counselling is for you and things to take on board are, that you are not bound into a contract, sessions will always go at your pace, you are in control of what is brought into a session and sessions can be short or long-term.

So, that’s basically information relating to me and the counselling process in a nutshell!

Thanks for reading.

Tarn x