Counselling in Dorking, Reigate and Leatherhead

Couples & Group Therapy

Couples Counselling

Do you think your relationship could be better? Are you arguing all the time and getting nowhere? Do you wish the other person could be different? Does it feel as if there is no real connection any more? Are you struggling to understand what's happening between you? If you sense that the time is right to make some changes and you need help, as we all do from time to time, then I can offer you a space to explore what has been happening and how your relationship can move forward once again, in whatever way is right for you.

Difficulties occur between Couples because it is impossible for you to see the unconscious dynamic which is binding you. Once the relationship felt good, seemed right and easy, but, after the 'honeymoon' period, good feelings can subside and then the real work of relating begins. Unconscious processes get energised as time goes on and the other becomes, without you realising it, the parent or close caregiver, with whom you have unfinished issues. And even those issues from your early years are likely to be unknown to you consciously. By working through what happens in the here and now in the relationship you are giving yourself an opportunity to heal the past and repair your current relationship in one go. Sometimes repair and healing may not be possible of course, but whether you stay together or part, Couples Therapy is an opportunity to understand yourself better and to understand how and why different parts of you react to the other the way they do. Unless this understanding is gained and acted upon, history WILL repeat itself!

With this approach, it is easier to see the bigger picture whereby each of you have equally contributed to the underlying dynamic between you. This does not excuse unacceptable behaviours such as 'violence' for example, but allows us to work together to see how you have arrived at the current state of your relationship without blame on either side.

If you would like to understand further the theoretical basis behind how I work, here are two links to two excellent articles.
The first is entitled "Couple Therapy/ How do we pick the other half?" by Gill Sutton Purser - Click Here
and the second is entitled "Some theory behind Imago Couple Counselling" by Caroline Doulton - Click Here

Group Therapy & Experiential Workshops for Holistic Wellbeing
Listening to the Body, Challenging the Mind, Developing the Spirit

I am pleased to be able to offer you two types of Group Work. Both groups are supportive and therapeutic in aim, but with holistic insights too. In them I offer a supportive place to air your difficulties without blame or censure, and I utilise therapeutic interventions to facilitate change. These intervenions include experiential exercises where appropriate. These exercises or interventions are aimed to highlight in more depth some of the unconscious causes of your blocks or difficulties and offer ways to resolve them. I call upon a variety of sources for exercises and creative interventions, such as NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming), CBT (Cognitive Behavioural therapy), Psychodynamic and Humanistic theory, Transpersonal exercises including Meditation and Mindfulness, and Art therapy.

Wellness Group - Emotional Support & Group Therapy for those with Depression

This purpose of this group is to offer a you a safe place if you are suffering from mild to moderate depression. These groups are small and personal for a maximum of 8 people, where any issues which have challenged you and brought you down to a low or depressed state can be shared and worked through in a supportive and completely confidential environment. Please know that your choice to participate or not is always respected as I appreciate that attending alone can be quite daunting in the first instance. In summary, the group will offer you:

An Experienced & Therapeutically Trained Facilitator
Movement Towards Positive Change
Supportive Networking (after the group has finished)
Safety & Confidentiality
A Personal Space for Sharing(6-8 people max)
A Pressure-free Environment if you do not wish to share
A Lower Fee than therapy or counselling @ £20 for 2 hrs, weekly for 10 weeks. (Illness aside, a committment to attending all sessions is essential to maintain group cohesion and 'psychological' safety for each group member).

For those who would like to attend a free Self-Help group (which is different from this facilitated therapy group which I offer) please follow this link to the NHS website: Click Here

Wholeness Groups - Experiential Group Workshops To Re-Affirm Your Life's Purpose

My intention in these groups is to provide you with a challenging, but safe, space to carry out inner exploration, gain improved self-awareness, and to grow and change. Like many of us today, your life may be overly busy and you may also have experienced a high level of stress. My aim in this group is to provide an antidote to your too-busy lifestyle and to create a calm space for you to re-affirm your life's purpose. You are probably aware that you have untapped potential and would like to release blocks which hold you back from achieving your personal, relationship and work goals. In addition, currently you are likely to be living your life acceptably by most people's standards, but have a sense that support in growing and developing personally is likely to improve your level of confidence in dealing with your challenges and your sense of well-being. In summary, the group offers you:

A Confidential, Personal Space to examine your inner self & face your blocks
Positive Change & Improved Self-Efficacy
A Greater Sense of Meaning and Fulfillment
A Greater Sense of Safety and Wonder at the Power of the Ever-Present, Vibrational Field around us
An Experienced Facilitator
A Small Group for Personal Attention (Max 8 people)
A 2 hour group weekly for 10 weeks @ £20 a week. A committment to attending all weekly sessions is essential as the exercises will build on one another, and help is gained from each other's support.