Psychotherapists and Counsellors Answer your Questions

I see being a therapist as a great privilege - the people I meet are giving me their time and their trust, and allowing me to develop a connection unique to them. Being granted the opportunity to...

I see being a therapist as a great privilege - the people I meet are giving me their time and their trust, and allowing me to develop a connection unique to them. Being granted the opportunity to start a journey with someone and follow it through to a new experience in life is something I feel great appreciation for. It is not easy to put our trust in someone we don't know, but each person who comes through my door is doing their best to offer that in the hope that I can give them something useful in return. That relationship and the mutual respect it involves is what I enjoy the most.

I like being alongside people when they make changes for themselves in their lives, for their better.

I like being alongside people when they make changes for themselves in their lives, for their better.

I enjoy the sense of connection and the relationship that builds with the people I work with. Sometimes there is an aha moment where someone really gets something new which I find a real pleasure...

I enjoy the sense of connection and the relationship that builds with the people I work with. Sometimes there is an aha moment where someone really gets something new which I find a real pleasure to witness. I also enjoy seeing the changes which occur in people's lives as they grow and perhaps become more in touch with themselves.

In short, I deeply value the aspect of sharing and exploring with another fellow human being the realm of their internal psychic world, our internal worlds as we explore and reflect together. To...

In short, I deeply value the aspect of sharing and exploring with another fellow human being the realm of their internal psychic world, our internal worlds as we explore and reflect together. To experience the relational dimension with another in a discrete and defined therapeutic space and time and then to reflect upon the multiple layers encountered within that experience is highly satisfying and enriching. To be with' whilst demanding high levels of concentration and focus, is enormously gratifying. It's not common to experience the same in my regular, outside-of-the-therapeutic setting', social world of reality. I find it wonderful to be able to work with meaning at the deeper level which occurs within the therapy room. This is also true with both individual and group clinical supervision. There is something about being in the presence of suffering which is levelling for me. It grounds me and reminds me of the fragility and vulnerability of what it means to be human which is again gratifying.

The lovely people I get to spend time with and watching their lives transform. Doing something that feels valuable. The amazing insights people have, and how strong and resourceful they can be.

The lovely people I get to spend time with and watching their lives transform. Doing something that feels valuable. The amazing insights people have, and how strong and resourceful they can be.

I like the slow pace to reflect and really think about what we are saying. Talking is our soul opening up, which mostly gets lost in every day conversations. Assisting someone with dissecting their...

I like the slow pace to reflect and really think about what we are saying. Talking is our soul opening up, which mostly gets lost in every day conversations. Assisting someone with dissecting their thought processes and watching them reordering them is very satisfying, Its also enjoyable watching people grow, create boundaries and cut toxic people from their lives. I was born to be a therapist, and only realised this after choosing lots of jobs I disliked. 'We don't know what we don't like until we try it'

My profession allows me to make a difference in peoples lives. It is both rewarding and challenging, allowing me to learn more about myself and others.

My profession allows me to make a difference in peoples lives. It is both rewarding and challenging, allowing me to learn more about myself and others.

The opportunity to guide people into greater connection with themselves and others to give back what I have gained from therapy myself.

The opportunity to guide people into greater connection with themselves and others to give back what I have gained from therapy myself.

It is a profession that requires us to be meditative

It is a profession that requires us to be meditative

That I have to be honest. That I'm asked to go into a deep and often dark place often. I sometimes think of therapy as the mental equivalent of speleology (the study of caves). I find the deepest and...

That I have to be honest. That I'm asked to go into a deep and often dark place often. I sometimes think of therapy as the mental equivalent of speleology (the study of caves). I find the deepest and darkest places fascinating and I enjoy going to these spaces and adjusting my sight for the exploration. It is risky, challenging and forces us to be present in the here and now.

Every single time I realize a client doesn't need my help anymore. In that moment I feel so accomplished and grateful for the honour of being part of that journey, I'm amazed by the transformation a...

Every single time I realize a client doesn't need my help anymore. In that moment I feel so accomplished and grateful for the honour of being part of that journey, I'm amazed by the transformation a human being can have when they move from despair to hopefulness. Witnessing the human ability to flourish, it's an incredible and fulfilling feeling.

Walking along side as a client arrives at a new level of awareness in the present moment. Watching clients realise their own acts of strength, access their own internal resources and add to their long...

Walking along side as a client arrives at a new level of awareness in the present moment. Watching clients realise their own acts of strength, access their own internal resources and add to their long term resilience from a position of awareness and choice. Seeing clients integrate different parts of themselves.

Watching clients achieve their goals

Watching clients achieve their goals

Getting to understand and share other people's stories. I particularly find children's resilience, energy and creativity uplifting. Curiosity is fundamental to my practice.

Getting to understand and share other people's stories. I particularly find children's resilience, energy and creativity uplifting. Curiosity is fundamental to my practice.

The thing I like most about being a therapist is seeing my clients have that moment where they feel like they are not alone and they can see how things can change for them.

The thing I like most about being a therapist is seeing my clients have that moment where they feel like they are not alone and they can see how things can change for them.