Power of Play Counselling is excited to be offering counselling for adolescents and adults who are having difficulty understanding and managing their emotions and the challenges within their lives. My aim is to create a safe space, built on trust and unconditional positive regard, that allows clients to open up and explore their current stressors without fear of judgement. I believe that everyone can benefit from experiencing the safety of a genuine and authentic relationship in which the person is seen and heard for who they are and experience acknowledgement and validation for the experiences that have shape their identity. My role as a therapist, is to help the client explore and uncover the underlying drives that are creating conflict and turmoil, and assist the client to integrate their experiences and find beneficial ways to move forward. I believe that the client is the only expert in their life, and thus, it is the client who holds the solutions to their problems - the role of the therapist, is to help guide the client in identifying blockages and barriers in order to unlock their solutions.

 

I work from a person-centred approach which means that counselling sessions are driven and directed by the client and what they are wishing to explore. At the core of my therapy, I naturally draw on psychodynamic theory and attachment theory, which involves exploring early past experiences, family dynamics and cultural experiences and creating awareness and understanding as to how these play a role in current day challenges, thoughts, behaviours and beliefs. My aim is to work collaboratively with the client to unpack their challenges and foster a deep understanding and connection with the client, guiding them to connect into their authentic self. I draw a lot on positive psychology through exploration of a clients character strengths through a strength based approach, as well as utilising other modalities such as Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Solution Focused Therapy (SFT). I often like to provide psycho-education on the polyvagal system, allowing clients to understand and explore their nervous system and neurological arousal.