Relationship Difficulties – Breakdown or Breakthrough?

Relationship difficulties occur when a couple find it difficult to find the resources within and between them to sort out their differences.  Differences in  expectations, communication styles and beliefs all add to the mix, and as things escalate, the couple find it difficult to even talk about the most simple matters without it resulting in conflict.

Relationships need time and attention – in our busy lives, we often assume that spending time together is enough.  It isn’t – the quality of that time is more important than the quantity.  We are creators of our own lives and relationships – why leave it to chance or at worse, a result of unquestioned beliefs about what our experiences should be like.

Relationship counselling is a sound investment in helping you both create a life together that is rewarding and which respects the individual needs of each person.

Counselling Psychologist?

What is a counselling psychologist?  A counselling psychologist has studied general psychology and has an deep understanding of associations between thoughts, feelings and behaviour.  They understand perspectives on life style changes and understand cultural differences as regards typical reactions to social and personal change.

Not all psychologists are counselling psychologists; instead they focus on interventions once they have identified associations between a person’s unconscious reactions to things and associated outcomes.  A counselling psychologist takes a more holistic approach to their work and enters a relationship with the client whereby trust is established and the objective is to assist the individual to become empowered to make choices about their own life direction.  Counselling psychology is a powerful way to break through your presenting symptoms and problems whilst establishing personal meanings of how you have become stuck and why.

Anxiety and Depression – what’s yours about?

Anxiety and depression appear to be on the increase as individual sufferers seek more assistance and those  assisting them write more widely on the subject.  But why does anxiety and depression seem to be increasing? Are people’s abilities to deal with life’s challenges in someway flawed or are we setting up our lives in such a way that anxiety and depression might  actually be healthy responses to  our unrealistic lifestyles?

In working with individuals over the years, I find that many individuals seek psychological counselling to return them to a time when they did not expereince the distressing effects of anxiety and depression and associated effects on their lives.  Others seek to understand the language of their anxiety and depression in order to transform their lives in ways greater than symptom reduction.  Those who focus only on symptom removal, often return to depression and anxiety after a period of relief.

The message is clear.  Anxiety and depression are powerful responses to life’s circumstances and life’s choices.  It is my opinion that when we slavishly or blindly conform to supposed desirable lifestyles without real choosing for ourselves, then anxiety and depression often result.  It is as if there is a part of us that knows better and will not let us hoodwink ourselves into not choosing a lifestyle that is right for us.  I encourage everyone suffering from the debilitating effects of depression and anxiety, panic attacks or other labelled mental health conditions, that you ask yourself ‘What is my anxiety and depression telling me?‘

Working with a skilled psychologist who is open to assisting you on this journey and applying effective tools for change, you can transform your life and create a life of meaning and – purpose without the debilitating effects of anxiety and depression.