Challenges, Struggles & Experience

 

After nearly two decades of deeply listening to people — for the Samaritans and as a counsellor — I’m clear about something: it is human to be unclear, to struggle, to feel desperate.

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But that doesn’t make it easy to bear. Or to feel connected to others through it. This is why counselling can be so helpful.

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Life can feel difficult in many ways, often in several ways at once (see Examples).

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While these struggles are widely human, the reasons someone comes to counselling are always personal — so even with my experience, I meet you just as you are.

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I believe counselling can support everyone. It can be vital in times of real suffering, and I’ve also known it to be a kind of maintainence, or bring greater vitality to lives that don’t feel “in crisis”, as things like exercise, creativity, or travelling can.

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Whatever your reason for being here, I’m confident I can offer true acceptance, meaningful understanding and a realness in relating that can be vital — or quietly revitalising. Being heard helps.

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In Examples there are some of the themes people often bring to counselling. These aren’t exhaustive or boxes to fit into, but shared human experiences that can feel overwhelming, confusing, or heavy when carried alone.