Ms Rosie Burgess

A conversation with Rosie Burgess

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

  I have always been interested in helping people live the lives they want to live. I don't think life needs to be lived a particular way, but I do know we're happiest when we're living it our way. My ultimate joy is helping people define what is important to them, and finding ways to get to this.

• Which philosophical approaches have influenced your professional development?

  I have a multimodal approach and am influenced by cognitive behavioural therapies, acceptance and commitment therapy, psychodynamic theories and choice therapy.
  
  I find the work by Adler and Rogers to be central to the way I practice, keeping you, the client, at the heart of everything we do, and ensuring that I find a way to see the world the way you do.
  
  At my heart I resonate with the existentialists, and feel strongly that life is what we make it.

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

  My main focus is on relationships. I believe that how connected we feel to others has the most impact on our mental and physical health. How we manage ourselves, how we regulate our emotions, how we express ourselves, how we listen to others, and how we manage to stay both vulnerable and empowered in the process are the areas I am most interested in.

• What methods do you use?

  I use some cognitive behavioural methods, a lot of listening, person centred goal setting, and attachment theories.

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

  I hope that you, the client, will start to feel that progress is being made from the moment you first reach out, because in fact just being brave enough to reach out and ask for help is the first sign that you're making progress. With each interaction we have you will make a little progress. Some moments will feel bigger than others. Sometimes light bulbs will go off during counselling, sometimes they'll go off afterwards. We'll track your journey together and make sure that we check in with each other as we go to ensure that you feel you're making progress.

• How has therapy made a difference in your life?

  Therapy has helped me to learn to communicate, to regulate my emotions, to be a better listener. It has also helped me understand how the experiences I had as a child have shaped me and continue to impact on the ways that I relate as an adult. It has helped me feel more connected to my parter, and be a better partner, parent and friend.

• What do you like most about being a therapist?

  I like the connection we build. I like the freedom to explore what is most important to you. I like seeing the world through your eyes.

• Do you ever have 'bad hair' days?

  Bad hair days are just days when our hair is being more creative than usual. The trick is to roll with it, lean into the crazy hair, or get a really cool hat.

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

  As a global community, climate crisis is the most significant problem we face in the world today. It represents a real threat to our children's wellbeing and the comfort of our species. I also see the disconnection we have cultivated, the individualistic worlds we live in, as a significant problem for our mental health and wellbeing.

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

  I love music. Especially harmonies. The song "Hide and Seek" by Imogen Heap speaks to my heart.
  I also love the dreaminess of Monet's landscapes. I'm a romantic at heart.