Psychotherapists and Counsellors Answer your Questions

Therapy has made a fundamental difference to my own life. I also feel that my experience in the client chair has cultivated a valuing and trust for the therapeutic process and appreciation for the...

Therapy has made a fundamental difference to my own life. I also feel that my experience in the client chair has cultivated a valuing and trust for the therapeutic process and appreciation for the work.

I can honestly say it has transformed me in many ways. I feel I have become even more empathic and patient in many ways. Through my own personal trauma healing journey I have also become calmer...

I can honestly say it has transformed me in many ways. I feel I have become even more empathic and patient in many ways. Through my own personal trauma healing journey I have also become calmer and more appreciative of life. It's allowed me to be more observant, have a greater acceptance of all kinds of diversity and understanding of other peoples challenges. It's made me kinder to myself, and others too.

Therapy has helped me understand my own patterns, reconnect with my body, and build a relationship with myself rooted in curiosity and care. Itâ??s taught me that healing isnâ??t linearâ??itâ??s a...

Therapy has helped me understand my own patterns, reconnect with my body, and build a relationship with myself rooted in curiosity and care. Itâ??s taught me that healing isnâ??t linearâ??itâ??s a layered and deeply human processâ??and that growth often begins with the courage to sit with whatâ??s real.

It's helped me fully accept all parts of me and helped me recognise my innate self-worth. Embodying this self-worth has helped me feel grounded and helped me achieve the things that are most important...

It's helped me fully accept all parts of me and helped me recognise my innate self-worth. Embodying this self-worth has helped me feel grounded and helped me achieve the things that are most important in my life. My life has purpose and meaning and this has come through healing and spirituality.

A more steady, trustworthy, vibrant and fluid sense of self. A greater capacity to stay present with different aspects of life, the â??goodâ? and the â??badâ?, the mundane and the...

A more steady, trustworthy, vibrant and fluid sense of self. A greater capacity to stay present with different aspects of life, the â??goodâ? and the â??badâ?, the mundane and the extraordinary.

I tried therapy several times before finding the right fit. Working with a long-term counsellor who I felt truly understood me made a huge difference and inspires the way I support clients now.

I tried therapy several times before finding the right fit. Working with a long-term counsellor who I felt truly understood me made a huge difference and inspires the way I support clients now.

Analysis has had profound effects, not necessarily in changing who we are, but in the understanding and acceptance of ourselves.

Analysis has had profound effects, not necessarily in changing who we are, but in the understanding and acceptance of ourselves.

For me, my therapist has been like a rear view mirror - without their presence, I would not have been able to see the challenges I was facing so clearly, or navigate my way through and beyond these...

For me, my therapist has been like a rear view mirror - without their presence, I would not have been able to see the challenges I was facing so clearly, or navigate my way through and beyond these challenges in such a healthy and helpful way. It has helped me to obtain both the clarity I needed and the support to develop the life practices and skills to a healthier and whole life.

Therapy has been transformative in my life, helping me navigate my own challenges and gain a deeper understanding of myself and others. Itâ??s taught me the power of resilience, self-awareness, and...

Therapy has been transformative in my life, helping me navigate my own challenges and gain a deeper understanding of myself and others. Itâ??s taught me the power of resilience, self-awareness, and the importance of having a safe space to explore thoughts and feelings. My personal experience with therapy fuels my passion to provide that same supportive environment for others, guiding them toward healing, growth, and positive change. Itâ??s not just about the professional techniques I use; itâ??s about the genuine belief that therapy can empower anyone to lead a more fulfilling life.

Therapy, and in particular Focusing, has brought me greater self-awareness, reflectiveness, and curiosity about my inner world. My relationship with myself has changed deeply, which has greatly...

Therapy, and in particular Focusing, has brought me greater self-awareness, reflectiveness, and curiosity about my inner world. My relationship with myself has changed deeply, which has greatly impacted who I am personally and who I am in relationship with others. Being open to- and cultivating my own inner knowing allows me to be a better therapist with clients. As we embark on the therapy journey together, I help clients organically to find their centre, create space inside, and be with what comes. Here forms an inner expansiveness from which to carry life forward in a way that feels right.

What a privilege and an honour I have at being able to assist my clients throughout some of their most troubled, dark, confusing, or misunderstood times in their lives. Being able to support and help...

What a privilege and an honour I have at being able to assist my clients throughout some of their most troubled, dark, confusing, or misunderstood times in their lives. Being able to support and help clients find their smile, set goals, overcome adversity, or whatever they need, provides me with a sense of purpose, and a sense of belonging.

As someone who identifies as gender diverse and neurodivergent, therapy has offered me a safe space to be seen, understood, and supported without judgment. It has helped me strengthen resilience,...

As someone who identifies as gender diverse and neurodivergent, therapy has offered me a safe space to be seen, understood, and supported without judgment. It has helped me strengthen resilience, develop self-acceptance, and process the impacts of stigma and lived experiences. These insights have not only shaped my personal growth but also deepened my commitment to providing affirming, inclusive care for others.

I have a continued therapeutic voice in my own head that is based in compassion and sensibility that has been learned through my own personal counselling as well as my continued practice with clients.

I have a continued therapeutic voice in my own head that is based in compassion and sensibility that has been learned through my own personal counselling as well as my continued practice with clients.

I believe I can only take my clients as far as I have gone myself. I am of the view that as therapists we have to practice what we preach. So I regularly see my own IFS therapist. It has given me a...

I believe I can only take my clients as far as I have gone myself. I am of the view that as therapists we have to practice what we preach. So I regularly see my own IFS therapist. It has given me a way of being with my own internal system in a completely new way. I am no longer trying to tame or remove parts of myself that other parts of me don't like. I am now able to be with them with curiosity, compassion, and openness. And in the light of my awareness, they soften and take on new and valuable roles for me. I have become more connected to my internal system in all ways. More connected to others. And I feel a deep sense of purpose and value in my life. I have overcome most of my addictions and no longer feel crippled by anxiety. I have also released some burdens from my traumatised parts, this is an ongoing recovery journey for me.

My analysis has mostly been Jungian. It has helped me to grow into my own skin and to loosen my defences so that I can live a more receptive and authentic life. That's what I'm trying to do.

My analysis has mostly been Jungian. It has helped me to grow into my own skin and to loosen my defences so that I can live a more receptive and authentic life. That's what I'm trying to do.

Both personally and professionally, therapy has made me more compassionate, understanding, empathetic and patient. It has also humbled me immensely. There is something so precious about another human...

Both personally and professionally, therapy has made me more compassionate, understanding, empathetic and patient. It has also humbled me immensely. There is something so precious about another human being trusting you with their vulnerabilities, with their soul. That will always and forever be the greatest honour and privilege I humbly experience.

To be honest, Iâ??m not what youâ??d call a â??model client.â? I often resist traditional therapeutic approaches - CBT? Letâ??s just say itâ??s not my jam (even though I occasionally,...

To be honest, Iâ??m not what youâ??d call a â??model client.â? I often resist traditional therapeutic approaches - CBT? Letâ??s just say itâ??s not my jam (even though I occasionally, begrudgingly, admit that it's useful!) As an autistic person, I can really struggle with neurotypical ways of framing or processing things, and many mainstream methods just donâ??t resonate with me. Therapy hasnâ??t always been easy, but when it works, itâ??s transformative. Whatâ??s made the difference for me is finding therapists who see me as a whole person - not just a set of symptoms or problems. The ones who honour my messiness, my unique ways of processing, and my resistance to â??neatâ? solutions have been the most impactful. Theyâ??ve created space for me to explore the world on my own terms, without judgment or pressure to conform to someone elseâ??s idea of progress. Therapy has given me room to process experiences in ways that feel authentic to me. Itâ??s helped me untangle systemic barriers, navigate identity, and find clarity about what I need to thrive. Most importantly, itâ??s reminded me that thereâ??s no â??rightâ? way to do therapy - or to exist in the world.

Therapy has played a significant role in my personal growth and transformation, making me a better person in many ways. Through the therapeutic process, I have gained a deeper understanding of myself,...

Therapy has played a significant role in my personal growth and transformation, making me a better person in many ways. Through the therapeutic process, I have gained a deeper understanding of myself, my emotions, and my patterns of thinking and behavior. Therapy has provided me with valuable tools and techniques to navigate challenges, manage stress, and develop healthier coping strategies. I have learned to cultivate self-compassion, embrace vulnerability, and practice effective communication skills. Therapy has helped me uncover and heal from past wounds, fostering personal resilience and emotional well-being. It has empowered me to make positive changes, set boundaries, and live a more authentic and fulfilling life. Overall, therapy has been instrumental in enhancing my self-awareness, fostering personal growth, and enabling me to show up as a better version of myself in all aspects of my life.

They say that whilst studying counselling you are in fact undergoing therapy yourself . I have found this to be very true. I feel I am much more able to embrace my vulnerabilities and parts of...

They say that whilst studying counselling you are in fact undergoing therapy yourself . I have found this to be very true. I feel I am much more able to embrace my vulnerabilities and parts of myself that I am uncomfortable with and be compassionate to myself. I have also been able to establish better boundaries with people in my life and consequently I feel much more balanced and able to handle life's ups and downs with more ease. I recognize that I am still learning and growing and relish this gift!

From personal experience, I have seen therapy create massive life-long positive life change and happiness.

From personal experience, I have seen therapy create massive life-long positive life change and happiness.

Therapy has made me a better person because it has shown me that we all at some point need help. I believe that when we are ready to reach out and ask for help there is always someone who is skilled...

Therapy has made me a better person because it has shown me that we all at some point need help. I believe that when we are ready to reach out and ask for help there is always someone who is skilled enough to listen to the unique story, provide compassion and offer techniques that can be life changing. Watching clients achieve their goals is such a rewarding job.

Psychoanalysis has made me more aware of my thoughts, feelings, impulses and choices, and the dynamics at play in my interpersonal relationships.

Psychoanalysis has made me more aware of my thoughts, feelings, impulses and choices, and the dynamics at play in my interpersonal relationships.

It has shaped me and made me the excellent therapist I am today and a better person It has allowed me to know myself better, trust my instincts and continue to learn, evolve and grow.

It has shaped me and made me the excellent therapist I am today and a better person It has allowed me to know myself better, trust my instincts and continue to learn, evolve and grow.

Being a therapist has deepened my self-awareness and empathy, while my own therapy has helped me process challenges and grow. This ongoing journey enhances how I connect with and support clients in...

Being a therapist has deepened my self-awareness and empathy, while my own therapy has helped me process challenges and grow. This ongoing journey enhances how I connect with and support clients in their own transformations.

I feel like I have grown and changed a great deal through both the therapy I have undergone myself and and that I now deliver. Each of my clients is a teacher to me. Through therapy I have become more...

I feel like I have grown and changed a great deal through both the therapy I have undergone myself and and that I now deliver. Each of my clients is a teacher to me. Through therapy I have become more patient, understanding, compassionate, balanced, and self-accepting of my shortcomings. Maybe greatest of all, therapy has helped lead to a great emergence and deepening into my identity over time. My personal journey of identity has led to a great affinity with clients with identity issues, and I learn more and more about my own identity in working with all my clients. To see parts of oneself in all of my clients strengthens my empathy and deepens my connection to humanity.

I hope so but it's not for me to say

I hope so but it's not for me to say

Therapy has increased my self-awareness and ability to self-reflect enormously and this has enabled all my relationships in life to be stronger and deeper. I have a stronger connection to nature and...

Therapy has increased my self-awareness and ability to self-reflect enormously and this has enabled all my relationships in life to be stronger and deeper. I have a stronger connection to nature and have a deeper understanding of the preciousness of all life and the connection between all humans and the natural world.

Therapy has made a profound difference in my life, especially through some of the most challenging struggles I've faced. Growing up with complicated family dynamics, I often felt caught between...

Therapy has made a profound difference in my life, especially through some of the most challenging struggles I've faced. Growing up with complicated family dynamics, I often felt caught between different perspectives and expectations. Therapy gave me a safe space to process feelings of confusion, frustration, and a sense of not belonging, helping me understand that these emotions were valid and part of the healing journey. Throughout my life, I also experienced the pain of losing multiple loved ones, and grief often felt overwhelming. Therapy provided me with tools to navigate that grief, teaching me how to honor my emotions and how to continue moving forward, even when the weight of loss felt too much to bear. Instead of suppressing my sorrow, I learned to express it and allow myself the space to heal at my own pace. In addition to grief, I struggled with periods of deep depression and self-worth issues. I often felt like I wasnâ??t enough or that I was failing to meet expectations, both from others and from myself. Therapy helped me challenge these negative beliefs and develop a more compassionate and realistic view of myself. Through conversations and exercises, I began to understand that my worth wasn't tied to my achievements or the approval of others but was inherent in who I am as a person. One of the most difficult parts of my journey was facing infertility, which felt like another blow to my sense of self-worth. The emotional toll it took on me was immense, as I wrestled with feelings of inadequacy and a fear of never being able to fulfill my dreams of motherhood. Therapy helped me work through the grief of unfulfilled dreams and taught me to embrace new definitions of family and purpose, allowing me to find peace in the midst of uncertainty. Through all of these struggles, therapy has been a crucial lifeline. It has provided me with clarity, perspective, and most importantly, self-compassion. Iâ??ve learned that itâ??s okay to not have all the answers, that healing is not linear, and that seeking help is a courageous step toward understanding myself better.

This is a HUGE question... For starters, it saved my life. Secondly, through therapy I have discovered myself, have come to embody my personhood, and have experienced so much inner peace and...

This is a HUGE question... For starters, it saved my life. Secondly, through therapy I have discovered myself, have come to embody my personhood, and have experienced so much inner peace and freedom.

I have learned that no matter what people go through, there is the ability to heal. The tools have not only been helpful for my clients but also myself.

I have learned that no matter what people go through, there is the ability to heal. The tools have not only been helpful for my clients but also myself.

By helping me to get to know my own mind better and inspiring me to continue to expand and deepen my journey of self-discovery.

By helping me to get to know my own mind better and inspiring me to continue to expand and deepen my journey of self-discovery.

Hugely transformative Fundamental to my life, to my growth as a person and healing

Hugely transformative Fundamental to my life, to my growth as a person and healing

I learned how to set strong boundaries, especially when it meant disappointing others. I learned how to navigate conflict with greater self-responsibility and less blame on the other person. I learned...

I learned how to set strong boundaries, especially when it meant disappointing others. I learned how to navigate conflict with greater self-responsibility and less blame on the other person. I learned how to self-soothe. I learned that how we respond to life can be a choice, and not a default response. I learned we can find greater meaning in life through simple shifts in perspective and awareness. I learned to accept more of myself.

I have found therapy a life saver when it comes to times in my life that have been so hard and so painful, I could choose to drown in anger or sorrow or scrape myself free of the muck and climb out so...

I have found therapy a life saver when it comes to times in my life that have been so hard and so painful, I could choose to drown in anger or sorrow or scrape myself free of the muck and climb out so that I may help others to climb out too. I can only help others if I have helped myself.

Many people find that therapy helps them better understand themselves, develop healthier coping mechanisms, and improve their relationships. For individuals, therapy can be a life-changing experience,...

Many people find that therapy helps them better understand themselves, develop healthier coping mechanisms, and improve their relationships. For individuals, therapy can be a life-changing experience, offering a safe space to explore difficult emotions, gain perspective, and work through challenges. Adolescents have constant changing hormones to deal with, so therapy can alleviate any external battles.

Psychotherapy and meditation together have made me infinitely more happy in myself and with the world around me. It has given me a deeper trust in my skills, capacities and sense of self-worth.

Psychotherapy and meditation together have made me infinitely more happy in myself and with the world around me. It has given me a deeper trust in my skills, capacities and sense of self-worth.

I caught up with myself and I don't get in my own way as often as I once did. I returned to my art practice. I learned about love.

I caught up with myself and I don't get in my own way as often as I once did. I returned to my art practice. I learned about love.

I wouldn't be where I am today without therapy. My therapist has been there through my career challenges, life challenges, relational challenges, and supported me in believing I could do what I'm...

I wouldn't be where I am today without therapy. My therapist has been there through my career challenges, life challenges, relational challenges, and supported me in believing I could do what I'm doing. Old Nicky would have said she needed to work for someone, she needed stability and security in being employed. She didn't have the confidence to back herself and follow her passion. Thanks to therapy I have transformed, and continue to grow and change each and every week.

Therapy has made a profound difference in my life, both personally and professionally. On a personal level, engaging in therapy has allowed me to cultivate a deeper understanding of myself, my...

Therapy has made a profound difference in my life, both personally and professionally. On a personal level, engaging in therapy has allowed me to cultivate a deeper understanding of myself, my emotions, and the patterns that have shaped my experiences. It has given me the tools to navigate life's challenges with greater resilience and self-compassion, helping me to grow into a more grounded and authentic version of myself. Through therapy, I have learned the importance of being present, embracing vulnerability, and understanding that healing is an ongoing journey. These insights have not only enhanced my own well-being but have also deepened my empathy and connection with others. Therapy has shown me the value of self-reflection and the power of exploring my inner world, which has enriched my relationships and overall quality of life. Professionally, therapy has provided me with invaluable insights that inform my work as a counsellor and coach. It has reinforced my belief in the transformative power of a safe and supportive therapeutic relationship, where clients can explore their thoughts and feelings without judgment. My own experiences in therapy have shaped the way I approach my clients, allowing me to offer a space of understanding, empathy, and hope. Therapy has also fueled my passion for helping others. It has solidified my commitment to guiding clients on their own journeys of self-discovery, healing, and personal growth. The positive changes Iâ??ve experienced in my own life through therapy inspire me every day to support others in achieving the same sense of empowerment and fulfilment. In essence, therapy has been a cornerstone in my journey towards a more meaningful and balanced life, and it continues to influence and enrich the work I do with my clients at Stabilise Coaching and Counselling Services.

It has made me more aware of my own feelings and inner motivations.

It has made me more aware of my own feelings and inner motivations.

Therapy has opened my eyes to just how resilient and strong people are, as well as given me insights into my own life, strengthened my ways of coping, and improved how I communicate with others.

Therapy has opened my eyes to just how resilient and strong people are, as well as given me insights into my own life, strengthened my ways of coping, and improved how I communicate with others.

My own struggles led me to seek help from a therapist, which has been one of the most transformative experiences of my life. Therapy has helped me to understand and be more accepting of myself and...

My own struggles led me to seek help from a therapist, which has been one of the most transformative experiences of my life. Therapy has helped me to understand and be more accepting of myself and enabled me to extend this to others.

As the clichÃ?© has it, it's not the goal, it's the journey'! Therapists are no less ï¬â??awed than anyone else. Indeed most have to a greater or lesser extent suffered, and the process of...

As the clichÃ?© has it, it's not the goal, it's the journey'! Therapists are no less ï¬â??awed than anyone else. Indeed most have to a greater or lesser extent suffered, and the process of recovery, learning and the consolidation of this learning into one's lifestyle brings about beneficial and lasting change. My journey continues to be probed with curiosity, learning, mindfulness and tested in relationship. It is character changing and character building.

Made me more accepting of being human with all its frailties.

Made me more accepting of being human with all its frailties.