Heather Pashley BA (Oxon) MBA FdA MBACP (Accred)

About Counselling

What is counselling? What is psychotherapy? What is the difference?

Counselling and psychotherapy are umbrella terms, often used interchangeably when describing "talking therapies." They are sometimes distinguished by the duration of the therapeutic relationship between the therapist and client, sometimes by the psychological depth of the work.

A good explanation of what happens in therapy is provided by the BACP under "What is therapy" and "What to expect".

"There is nothing so practical as a good theory" - Kurt Lewin (1890-1947)

Different therapists use different approaches and mine is based on Transactional Analysis (TA), "a theory of personality and a systematic psychotherapy for personal growth and personal change." (ITAA). It provides a clear and accessible framework and is particularly useful when looking at how our personalities develop and how we establish patterns of behaviour and communication. These patterns may serve us well at certain times in our lives but become unhelpful at other times. Through therapy we can work to change these patterns and, using clear models and terminology, I can help you to gain deeper insight into your own processes, helping to make those changes sustainable long after your therapy has ended.

At the heart of my approach is a fundamental belief that you, the client, have the power to change. Whether we call it counselling or psychotherapy, we will work together to help you feel better.