Stress Counselling

Causes of stress may include work, financial problems, relationship breakdowns, unemployment, loss of family members, moving house and changing occupations.

Stress is often seen as a modern day phenomena as we react to the ever increasing pace of life and the pressures that come with it. However, while many of the situations that cause stress may be new, stress itself is an innate reaction that dates back to our caveman days. In stressful situations our brains release a range of chemicals such as cortisol and adrenaline, leading to an impulse either to come back stronger and fight for our lives, or flee from danger and protect ourselves.

Where the former doesn’t work, and the latter isn’t an option, good stress turns to bad stress, and it begins to damage our physical and mental health, leading to anxiety, depression, digestive problems, insomnia or displacement activities, such as excessive drinking or over eating, as our body tries to find a way to respond to the pressures it is facing.

There are many things that can cause stress, including work, financial problems, relationship breakdowns, unemployment, loss of family members, moving house and changing occupations. All of these, and other causes, can combine to increase our level of stress and the sense of helplessness we may feel in the face of it.

Whatever the causes of stress, counselling can help to find a solution and map a way through the difficulties you are facing. As an integrative psychotherapist, I offer a range of therapies including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Mindfulness, Relaxation and Behaviour Therapy. At an initial meeting, I talk to clients about their needs, give them a chance to get a feel of how I work and decide on the individual therapy of combination of therapies they feel will be right for them. There is no set minimum or maximum number of sessions clients have to agree to, and there is ongoing review to ensure that sessions are productive and help clients recognise and handle stress, getting it under control and keeping it under control going forward.

My fees are based on an ethical position of not wishing money to be a barrier to therapy so there is a fee scale guideline depending on your income and you place yourself at the level of your income.