Approach to Counselling » Lois Whiteman Psychotherapy

The unique needs of each person shapes each therapeutic encounter.

Counselling and psychotherapy is in essence a focussed conversation, one where thoughts, feelings, experiences and ideas can be expressed fully to the therapist, deliberated upon and resolved. In order that this therapeutic conversation is effective, a safe and confidential relationship between the therapist and their client is essential.

Through the establishment of this therapeutic relationship a space is created where you can explore and reflect on the issues at hand without judgment.

This process brings fresh insight and understanding promoting change, new direction and a reduction in troubling symptoms such as anxiety and depression.

In my approach to counselling, the establishment of a fruitful working relationship with my clients is primary. I draw on many modalities of therapy yet their use is completely guided by the needs and interests of my clients.

For those interested my theoretical orientation is founded on read more:

Jungian Depth Psychological Approach

I draw on the work of Carl Gustav Jung. A central tenet of Jung’s approach is that in each and every one of us there is an inner momentum to achieve a sense of fulfilment in life through the reconciliation of the opposites (the dilemmas) that lie within us. It is this natural momentum that guides us through life. Sometimes this inner momentum is disrupted when life challenges overwhelm our inner resources. We then may need some support to reconnect with this momentum, to facilitate it and to learn how to draw on it again.

Jung influenced many therapists. In particular I have found the work of Donald Kalsched to be very effective.

Psychodynamic Approach

Psychodynamic psychotherapy has evolved from the understanding that who we are and what we experience and believe is a dynamic interaction between ourselves and the world. Many of our experiences and the meaning we make of them though remain under our conscious awareness and in this way we do not always know what drives our thoughts and behaviours. Psychodynamic psychotherapy focuses on bringing to conscious attention patterns in the mind that we are unaware of. This includes beliefs, thoughts, feelings, even forgotten memories, and the roles these thought and feeling patterns play in psychological problems.

The psychodynamic approach has been found to have effectiveness with anxiety, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Acute Stress Disorders, panic attacks and complex psychological distress.

Attachment Theory

Attachment theory primarily focusses on how the bond developed for an individual as a child with their primary care givers. For some this provided a secure developmental base for the building a secure and positive sense of self. For others, this bond was not sufficient in some way leading to feelings of inadequacy, anxiety and low self esteem.

Understanding the particular failures of attachment for an individual provides a clear path forward to building this sense of inner security and self esteem through the counselling process.