10 Questions with Emmaline Golding

• What led you to choose psychotherapy or counselling as a profession?

• I moved around a lot growing up, and was always meeting new people and having to make new friends, so I became interested in people, and why we do what we do. I wasn't sure what I wanted to be when I grew up, so I decided to follow my passions and interests and see what happens! Now, I'm very glad that I chose psychology - I get to meet so many different people and help people who are often going through a rough time.

• Which philosophical approaches have influenced your professional/personal development?

• I have studied lots of different approaches, including traditional Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Interpersonal therapy, Psychodynamic, Humanistic and Existential approaches.
  
  Working in the mental health sector, I became a specialist in 'Recovery Oriented' approaches which are very respectful of the person, and their right to choose their own pathway to recovery. I also studied Mindfulness and person centred therapy.
  
  I was lucky as some of my early mentors were very strong in Positive Psychology, which I like because it focusses on what works to make people well and happy. I like to help people get real results, and move forward, beyond whatever is holding them back.
  
  I have also studied Neuro-Linguistic Programming, and I am an accredited Master Practitioner and trainer in this.
  
  I have found that different things help different people, and I tend to use a combination of techniques and strategies depending on the person and what they prefer.

• Which particular aspects of health or the human journey are you interested in?

• I am not focussed on any one particular topic. I like to work with a mix of people. I do find I tend to work with a lot of people experiencing anxiety, stress or depression regarding their careers or relationships. I also like to support new parents, people who identify as LGBTQI, and people who work in their own business or freelance.

• What method/s do you use?

• I don't stick strictly to one particular method. When you come in for a session we will have a good conversation about what is going on and what you'd like to get our of our time together. I like to listen and get to know each other as much as we can, but I also want to make sure that you have some tools to take away from the very first session, so that you can start to feel better, more focussed, more peaceful as soon as possible.
  
  We'll keep it very casual and relaxed. I don't think there is a need to use big fancy words in therapy, or pretend to be like a doctor and a patient. Instead, we can just talk like real human beings and I will share some of the tools I've learned in my studies. My clients like this approach.

• When do you think the client will start to feel that progress is being made?

• I usually find that even after the first session most of my clients go away feeling much better than when they came in. They'll walk away with a couple of tools to use, and a plan for things we can continue to explore in the coming sessions. There is no rule as to how long before a person feels completely 'better', as its so different for every person, but I don't believe that people need to be in therapy for years.
  
  Having said that, I do work with clients long term if needed, and many of my clients continue to work with me for quite some time (but with less frequent visits), as a way of checking in and making sure everything is on track.

• How has therapy made you a better person?

• For me, working with people who go through all sorts of challenges has made me much more grateful, inspired, and non judgemental. We all have tough times, and no one is immune to stress. It helps to have someone objective, who can help you see what you can't see, and who is 100% on your side.

• What do you like most about being a therapist?

• I like to talk with people, and hear their stories, and I am privileged to be able to assist in times of need.

• Do you ever have 'bad hair' days?

• Of course! We're all human!

• What do you think is the most significant problem we face, in the world today?

• I think one of the most significant problems we face is increasing violence of all kinds. Not because people are bad, but because people are overworked and over stressed, and don't have good avenues or strategies for dealing with that tension.
  
  Another significant problem is loneliness and isolation, which is related to depression, suicide, meaninglessness, drug & alcohol problems, and so many other issues.
  

• Can you share the name of a book, film, song, event or work of art that inspires you?

• So many! But some are: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, The Power of Now by Eckart Tolle, Forest Gump.....