“You are not a machine with broken parts but rather you are a human being with unmet needs” – Johann Hari
About Me
I am passionate about what I do, and I am very keen to help you get to where you want to be. I am a registered member of the BACP (MBACP), which means that I adhere to specific guidelines around ethics and how best to provide therapy to clients – they can be found here.
As a male counsellor, I have been fortunate to work with a range of issues. In Wokingham and online, I make sure to utilise my training skills and experience in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT); Psychodynamic Therapy; Existentialism; Person-Centred Therapy. I work hard at making sure that the type of therapy you receive matches what you need. I am confident in my ability to help you navigate your issues, and if I am not the right counsellor for you, I will help you find the right one.
Based in Denmark Street, I offer counselling in Wokingham. I have 7 years experience working with teenagers in a therapeutic setting. I currently also run a group therapy programme (not open to referrals). I work with a range of issues with a focus on stress, anger, relationship problems, depression, anxiety, self-esteem, identity, confidence.
Born in South Africa, I believe I have been fortunate enough to have a wide range of experiences with different cultures, different groups and ideas. This has helped me appreciate and be humbled by the differences in each of the people that walk through the door for counselling.
Anxiety
Often we perceive an event or situation as far threatening than it really is. Our sessions will be about establishing a realistic understanding of the problem, and building your confidence to manage it yourself. It may be quite solution focused or it may require building your self-esteem.
Depression
My experience of working with – and reading around – the subject tells me that something is missing for you. It may be something from the past, or currently, that you long for. We will work our what it is you need, how to get it or how to let go and move forward with satisfaction and happiness.
Stress
Unfortunately we are all prone to feeling stressed, overworked or overwhelmed. This can be quite solution focused – looking at how to recognise symptoms of stress, and how to manage it – or it can be about having the knowledge and confidence to choose a life free from unnecessary stress.
Confidence, Identity, Self-Esteem
Who are you? Let’s look at your past and the messages you received as a child. What do you still carry with you? How do feel about yourself, and others? What are your core beliefs? Are some healthy or unhealthy? Accurate or outdated? Useful or hindering? Who are you now, and who do you want to be? What is stopping you?
Anger
It may sound strange at first but anger can be thought of as a secondary emotion – our task is to find what is beneath that, and how best to express or manage that first emotion. We tend to find it easier to express anger more than sadness. We can also find ways to manage the angry behaviour so that you (and others) feel more at ease.
Relationships
I don’t yet work with couples but often find that there is still plenty of work to be done on a one-to-one. It’s about exploring your experiences as part of a couple, and finding ways to improve communication. It’s also about looking at your patterns of relating to others, whether in a relationship, friendship, family or at work. How do you see yourself and others around you?
Wokingham Counselling 