Counselling

My experience in counselling started in the late 1970s and throughout the years I have worked in many fields, on both a voluntary and a professional basis. I have worked with the homeless, people with HIV and Aids, sex industry workers, members of the gender community and in the area of couples and family therapy.

Much of my work deals with one-to-one counselling of individuals from all walks of life, who have identified as having difficulties. Some people come to me in an extremely upset and confused state, looking for help and guidance. Others simply come along to work through some issues in their life or relationships that they would like to operate on a more effective basis.

Counselling is a space where people can feel safe about talking through their problems in confidence, knowing that the time is exclusively dedicated to their needs. Many people who telephone me immediately say "I’ve never done this before", to which I often reply "Don’t worry, because I’ve never met you before either, so I will be starting from the beginning too".

In counselling, a totally non-judgemental atmosphere is set up, so whatever background the person comes from or situations they bring, we find a way forward to help them. Should they need extra help, then I will refer them on to a specialist in a particular field in which they have difficulties.

In my counselling work, I always keep in my mind, one of my favourite sayings, from the Buddhist philosophy:

Out of humility can grow greatness