Counselling

Counselling can offer a humane and nurturing response, meeting us in the darkest, most difficult parts of our lives. In the presence of another human being, offering us unconditional positive regard, empathy and an authentic response, a process of greater self- compassion and reconciliation of ourselves with our own wounded, vulnerable, beautiful selves can begin to unfold, and we may be surprised to find ourselves connecting to a deeper sense of our own wellbeing and worth. As the Buddha taught: “You can search throughout the entire universe for someone who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and that person is not to be found anywhere.”

The truth is that all of us are at times confronted by situations which we feel overwhelmed or confused, numb or at our wits end. The distress may present as different forms of anxiety or depression, addictive patterns of behaviour, lack of meaning or feeling stuck. There may be recognisable triggers such as a bereavement or relationship breakdown, leaving us grieving and broken hearted; or the terrifying effects of trauma or abuse leaving us feeling unsafe, or the realisation that we yearn for a more meaningful life and time is passing. Each of these manifestations of suffering are calling us to turn towards and pay attention to that which we so often want to avoid. As the Sufi poet Rumi put it: “The cure for the pain, is in the pain.” Sometimes this is more than we can manage alone.

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“When we risk sharing what hurts the most in the presence of someone who will not invade us or abandon us, we can learn not to invade or abandon ourselves.” James Finley