psychotherapy and counselling

"it is never too late to be what you might have been"

George Elliot

Creating Pathways offers psychotherapy and counselling for individuals requiring more in depth therapy to help overcome long term patterns and behaviours, chronic issues or recurrent thoughts and feelings. Psychotherapy is a relational process where by therapist and client work towards the transformation of emotional, physical, relationship, existential and behavioural issues. Psychotherapy promotes healing and growth and its aim is to build awareness which in turn creates change. Through the relational process feelings, thoughts and behaviours are explored. This is done through deep listening and empathic exploration of the person's experience. Psychotherapy allows the individual to develop a greater understanding of themselves that then enables them to make the necessary changes in their lives that they are seeking. 

Creating Pathways practices Gestalt Psychotherapy. Gestalt therapy views the individual as a whole (mind, body and soul) and believes that they are best understood in relation to their current situation as the individual experiences it. Gestalt Psychotherapy focuses on the here and now experience of the client rather than what may be perceived as happening to them because of past experiences. At the heart of Gestalt therapy lies the concept of “awareness”. When an individual is encouraged to become aware of how they think, feel and act in the present moment, new insights into other ways of being can be experienced and self healing can occur. Gestalt psychotherapy is often a very powerful and creative process that allows for amazing transformation in the individual to be achieved.

Many people engage in psychotherapy because they are wanting to gain a greater understanding of themselves. Psychotherapy can help in developing an awareness of oneself and can help in developing insight into the ways in which one behaves and relates to others. It can also help with developing an understanding of the patterns that play out in ones life.  

Psychotherapy can be used to treat a variety of issues which include:

• depression

• anxiety disorders

• trauma

• personality disorders

• eating disorders

• personality disorders

• self harm

• addiction

• post-traumatic stress disorder

• abuse

• relationship difficulties

• intimacy problems

• yearning for more from life

What are the benefits of psychotherapy?

 Psychotherapy supports the process of developing self-awareness and greater self-acceptance which in turn creates change. It is through awareness of oneself that patterns are greater understood and realised and greater meaning of life is experienced. Awareness allows for one to make more conscious choices that then lead to a different experience of oneself and the world around them. Through this process a person can develop a greater capacity to be empowered, and in charge of their existence especially when it is in relationship with others. 

Other benefits of psychotherapy include:

• Improved ability to live in the here and now

• Improved relationships with others

• Greater communication skills

• Greater understanding of oneself and one's behaviours

• Greater awareness of one's thought patterns

• Increased self-confidence

• A greater sense of fulfilment

• Decreased anxiety

• Greater ability to manage addiction

• Increased joy, meaning, peace of mind and heart

• Improved mood and greater ability to manage depressive symptoms

• Greater ability to live authentically

• Greater sense of self and personal freedom

How can you get the most out of psychotherapy?

The most important thing to consider when starting  psychotherapy is choosing a therapist that you feel comfortable with. Research suggests that the therapeutic relationship is one of the most powerful contributing factors that determines the success of the therapy. If you don't feel comfortable with your therapist then the success of the therapy will be compromised. 

It is also important to be clear on what your goals or reasons for therapy are. Even writing down what it is you hope to get out of therapy can be useful so that the is clarity in what it is you are hoping to achieve. Be prepared to be challenged and to meet those challenges knowing that you have the support of your therapist to help you make the changes that you are seeking. Be honest with your therapist. The more you are able to open up the more you will get out of the process. Basically with most things in life the more you put in to psychotherapy the more you will get out of it.