Psychotherapists and Counsellors Answer your Questions

Therapy has provided me with the skills needed to face and manage difficult times and challenges. It has enabled me to be a stronger and more confident person with better understanding of myself.

Therapy has provided me with the skills needed to face and manage difficult times and challenges. It has enabled me to be a stronger and more confident person with better understanding of myself.

Therapy has been a lifesaver—literally. Coming from a complex and traumatic upbringing filled with loss and family conflict, I had so much to process. Through my own counselling journey, I...

Therapy has been a lifesaver—literally. Coming from a complex and traumatic upbringing filled with loss and family conflict, I had so much to process. Through my own counselling journey, I experienced the power of empathy, compassion, and a truly safe space. Being able to express my deepest sadness and vulnerabilities without fear of judgment allowed me to access my strengths and innate resources to move forward. Therapy helped me evolve, embrace my inner resilience, and find meaning in my life again. It reinforced my belief in healing, growth, and the importance of feeling truly heard. It also continues to invite me to reflect on my own challenges, perspectives, and behaviours—not only as a means of self-awareness but as an ongoing opportunity for growth.

Therapy has helped me understand my own patterns, reconnect with my body, and build a relationship with myself rooted in curiosity and care. It’s taught me that healing isn’t linear—it’s a...

Therapy has helped me understand my own patterns, reconnect with my body, and build a relationship with myself rooted in curiosity and care. It’s taught me that healing isn’t linear—it’s a layered and deeply human process—and that growth often begins with the courage to sit with what’s real.

Counselling has helped me develop deeper self-awareness, emotional insight, and a stronger understanding of how experiences shape behaviour and relationships. It has reinforced the importance of...

Counselling has helped me develop deeper self-awareness, emotional insight, and a stronger understanding of how experiences shape behaviour and relationships. It has reinforced the importance of reflection, accountability, and healthy communication, both personally and professionally. Experiencing counselling from the client’s perspective has strengthened my belief in the value of a safe, respectful space where people can explore challenges without judgement and work toward meaningful change. This experience continues to inform my practice and the way I support others.

Having my own personal therapy has helped me with my own patterns of relationship. Being a therapist helps me to be a better mother, as I have learnt to be stronger, wiser and kind. Providing psycho...

Having my own personal therapy has helped me with my own patterns of relationship. Being a therapist helps me to be a better mother, as I have learnt to be stronger, wiser and kind. Providing psycho education about dysregulation to people helps me understand my own dys-regulation patterns.

Therapy has helped me to identify unresolved hurts or experiences from my past and feel safe and supported to start to unpack and intentionally address areas which may be holding me back or are in...

Therapy has helped me to identify unresolved hurts or experiences from my past and feel safe and supported to start to unpack and intentionally address areas which may be holding me back or are in need of healing.

Before I started psychotherapy I would wake up and feel okay for about three seconds. Then I would remember who I felt I was and I would feel crushing depression. This had been the case for most of my...

Before I started psychotherapy I would wake up and feel okay for about three seconds. Then I would remember who I felt I was and I would feel crushing depression. This had been the case for most of my life. I did therapy for roughly eight years and now I am happy most of the time, and when I am unhappy, it is because of specific things and it passes.

I have grown and found counselling/therapy support at key times in my life. Helping others is what I do and I learn from my clients all the time.

I have grown and found counselling/therapy support at key times in my life. Helping others is what I do and I learn from my clients all the time.

What I value most is the privilege of being trusted with people’s stories. I’m deeply appreciative of the moments when someone feels safe enough to be honest, vulnerable and reflective, and when...

What I value most is the privilege of being trusted with people’s stories. I’m deeply appreciative of the moments when someone feels safe enough to be honest, vulnerable and reflective, and when insight or relief begins to emerge. I also make effort to engage in my own clinical supervision and therapy. I have two people I go to regularly for clinical insight and personal wisdom and it is invaluable.

I can honestly say it has transformed me in many ways. I feel I have become even more empathic and patient in many ways. Through my own personal trauma healing journey I have also become calmer...

I can honestly say it has transformed me in many ways. I feel I have become even more empathic and patient in many ways. Through my own personal trauma healing journey I have also become calmer and more appreciative of life. It's allowed me to be more observant, have a greater acceptance of all kinds of diversity and understanding of other peoples challenges. It's made me kinder to myself, and others too.

I have always enjoyed the way that therapy has opened my mind to broader human possibilities and freedoms. I feel that therapy is a sacred space where magic can and should happen.

I have always enjoyed the way that therapy has opened my mind to broader human possibilities and freedoms. I feel that therapy is a sacred space where magic can and should happen.

My own therapy journey has made me more 'open' emotionally and more tolerant. It has also forced me to grow up and accept ownership/responsibility for my feelings and my reactions. I think it has...

My own therapy journey has made me more 'open' emotionally and more tolerant. It has also forced me to grow up and accept ownership/responsibility for my feelings and my reactions. I think it has really helped me see and understand my family of origin as the people that they are, not just my brother/mother/father.

Therapy has changed my life in ways I probably still do not fully have language for. I first entered therapy after being bullied as a child, and over the years I experienced different forms of...

Therapy has changed my life in ways I probably still do not fully have language for. I first entered therapy after being bullied as a child, and over the years I experienced different forms of counselling and psychological support. More recently, I undertook trauma-informed therapy that profoundly shaped the way I understand myself, relationships, emotional patterns, and what it means to live more honestly and fully. For me, therapy was not simply about symptom relief or escaping pain. It was about reconnecting with parts of myself that had become buried beneath adaptation, survival, pressure, shame, and years of trying to cope. I think good therapy can create space not only for healing, but for integration, clarity, depth, and meaningful personal change over time. I’m a strong advocate for the counselling and psychotherapy professions which often hold the most expertise for depth-oriented work. I believe many people live carrying far more internally than others realise. I’m also deeply interested in men’s wellbeing and the importance of men experiencing psychologically and therapeutically held spaces with other grounded men. That experience changed something important in me, and it’s part of what I hope to offer others through this work.

Overall therapy has supported me to love myself more. Self-love is at the core of all the amazing help I have received from therapy and all of the other ongoing training, workshops, self development...

Overall therapy has supported me to love myself more. Self-love is at the core of all the amazing help I have received from therapy and all of the other ongoing training, workshops, self development courses, body and movement based methods I learn and experience from. The specific help over the years has included: increase in confidence; helpful new skills in relating; insights into issues and problems; learning from dreams and other mysterious experiences; support to follow what is right for myself; healing from past pain including trauma, shame, guilt, grief and loss; trusting my body; finding new attitudes to approach problems'; and accepting and loving all the parts of who I am (this is ongoing of course! Ha ha!)

Therapy has provided space and a safe container to revisit and unpack some difficult experiences in my childhood in a way that has brought about a sense of unburdening and subsequent increased ease in...

Therapy has provided space and a safe container to revisit and unpack some difficult experiences in my childhood in a way that has brought about a sense of unburdening and subsequent increased ease in my system. I have enjoyed Equine Therapy, Sand Tray, Guided Imagery and Music, IFS modalities and other therapeutic approaches. Each offer something particular and I have found that therapy has brought clarity, resolution and at times deep, inexplicable calm.

Therapy has made a huge difference in my life. It has empowered me to recognise and take control of damaging throught processes. It has renewed my confidence in my ability to manage difficult...

Therapy has made a huge difference in my life. It has empowered me to recognise and take control of damaging throught processes. It has renewed my confidence in my ability to manage difficult situations. Things that previously would have overwhelmed me and I would have given up, I now approach with new perspectives and emotion. It changed my life for the better in many ways.

Recovery from childhood trauma has been an on going process. I was able to develop self esteem as an adult and move through an intense and debilitating feelings of shame. Once I FELT and KNEW better,...

Recovery from childhood trauma has been an on going process. I was able to develop self esteem as an adult and move through an intense and debilitating feelings of shame. Once I FELT and KNEW better, I also acted better. Hurt people can hurt other people, even without realising or knowing it.... I understand this process of recovery from a lived experienced and now use my professional skills and 26+ years of qualified experience to guide others through their own process of clarification and understanding.

Therapy has made a meaningful difference in my life by helping me understand my own responses, values, and patterns with greater clarity and compassion. It has strengthened my emotional awareness,...

Therapy has made a meaningful difference in my life by helping me understand my own responses, values, and patterns with greater clarity and compassion. It has strengthened my emotional awareness, resilience, and ability to stay grounded during challenging situations. Through the therapeutic process, I learned the power of safe connection, reflective practice, and sitting honestly with difficult experiences—growth that continues to shape both my personal wellbeing and my work as a clinician. Experiencing the impact of therapy firsthand reinforced my belief in the value of this work and deepened my commitment to supporting others on their own journeys.

Personally, I have undertaken many therapy sessions in my lifetime, to assist with seeing things beyond my emotional connection to a certain situation, as and when required...this has been an...

Personally, I have undertaken many therapy sessions in my lifetime, to assist with seeing things beyond my emotional connection to a certain situation, as and when required...this has been an invaluable process that has enabled me to see the merits of therapy and indeed, these last 12 months have shown me through my Griefline Voluntary work how positive an impact one can have, just to be present for someone at a time of need... there is nothing more satisfying than being there and giving back.

Therapy has enabled me to navigate mental health challenges while maintaining balance in everyday life. It has helped me reframe how I view myself and the world, focusing on my existing strengths and...

Therapy has enabled me to navigate mental health challenges while maintaining balance in everyday life. It has helped me reframe how I view myself and the world, focusing on my existing strengths and abilities and building on them—ultimately supporting me in creating a life I am proud of.

Enabled me to get clearer about my own personal and relational values and at times recognizing how I get 'in my own way' in relationships.

Enabled me to get clearer about my own personal and relational values and at times recognizing how I get 'in my own way' in relationships.

Therapy allowed me to find light in the darkest of places and learn to move forward from stuck positions. I became able to look at alternative thought processes instead of a belief system that...

Therapy allowed me to find light in the darkest of places and learn to move forward from stuck positions. I became able to look at alternative thought processes instead of a belief system that prevented me from moving on and living life to the fullest.

It has helped me grow in reflective capacity, patience, insight and courage with willingness to connect with a broad range of people.

It has helped me grow in reflective capacity, patience, insight and courage with willingness to connect with a broad range of people.

Learning about psychology, counselling and psychotherapy has changed the way I see the world, and people in it. I am yet to meet a person who I would write off. Everyone can get help. I find, if we...

Learning about psychology, counselling and psychotherapy has changed the way I see the world, and people in it. I am yet to meet a person who I would write off. Everyone can get help. I find, if we raise enough awareness, there is always a reason behind a behaviour; a need seeking fulfilment and most often - somewhere in there - is a small child seeking validation, affirmation and attunement. We can find the why through exploration of the how, here and now. I have been a client in therapy, having had hundreds of hours personally in therapy. In addition, I've undertaken an academic masters and completed a published literature review referencing over 70 sources about trauma, culture and attachment theory. Additionally, I receive expert supervision and ongoing training each year.

It is an interesting question. I don't think about people as being either good' or bad'. We are simply people. Therapy has certainly made me a different person. I have come to much deeper...

It is an interesting question. I don't think about people as being either good' or bad'. We are simply people. Therapy has certainly made me a different person. I have come to much deeper understanding of myself by doing therapy. Everything that you learn about other people teaches you a little something about yourself.

It has made me more compassionate towards other humans and to myself.

It has made me more compassionate towards other humans and to myself.

As a recipient of good therapy myself, it improved my self-confidence and my relationships with family and friends. It also helped me with knowing and managing myself better, so I can show up for...

As a recipient of good therapy myself, it improved my self-confidence and my relationships with family and friends. It also helped me with knowing and managing myself better, so I can show up for clients by providing the support they need.

Helped me to help over 10,000 people to live a better life

Helped me to help over 10,000 people to live a better life

When I was suffering from burnout and depression, I sought therapy and the most important things I got from that experience was that I was having a normal reaction to abnormal events, and that I was...

When I was suffering from burnout and depression, I sought therapy and the most important things I got from that experience was that I was having a normal reaction to abnormal events, and that I was not alone. I did learn some exercises that I continue using to this day, but the most important thing was having someone listen to my story and help me clarify what was going on. I hope to bring that clarity to others.

Therapy has helped me to understand that it is a creative process between the therapist, the client and a bigger field of wisdom. I experience joy and peace and happiness having come from a history of...

Therapy has helped me to understand that it is a creative process between the therapist, the client and a bigger field of wisdom. I experience joy and peace and happiness having come from a history of violence.

It has opened my heart to others and gave me trust in people again.

It has opened my heart to others and gave me trust in people again.

Therapy has made me more tolerant, more thoughtful and more considerate of others. As well as more determined, more forgiving and more willing to try and grow.

Therapy has made me more tolerant, more thoughtful and more considerate of others. As well as more determined, more forgiving and more willing to try and grow.

It has continually challenged me to undermine my ego defences and live authentically from a more heart oriented perspective. There is no other way to extract the rich nectar of ecstasy from life.

It has continually challenged me to undermine my ego defences and live authentically from a more heart oriented perspective. There is no other way to extract the rich nectar of ecstasy from life.

Self-reflection and lifelong learning

Self-reflection and lifelong learning

I'm less judgmental;, more accepting, more open, more self-aware, content, full of gratitude, peaceful, compassion to others and myself, more encouraging to self and others...

I'm less judgmental;, more accepting, more open, more self-aware, content, full of gratitude, peaceful, compassion to others and myself, more encouraging to self and others...

Better in terms of an overall enrichment of emotional experiences and the increased capacity to enjoy art, music, literature, friendships, self-care and spirituality.

Better in terms of an overall enrichment of emotional experiences and the increased capacity to enjoy art, music, literature, friendships, self-care and spirituality.