Counselling Services
in Belfast, Carrickfergus

Only through our interactions with others do we come to know ourselves. Those closest to us are often those with whom we most struggle with when we are most angry.

Couples come and see me for many reasons; maybe you seem to have the "same argument "over and over, maybe you are experiencing a lack of emotional, physical or sexual closeness or have poor communication patterns, or one of you has broken trust through having another relationship.

It can help greatly to have a safe, supportive environment to talk through these issues and to have a skilled professional to help you understand what is driving the problems, including any underlying trauma, and what will help to resolve them.

The way I work is based on the simple premise that the quality of the working relationship we build is key to the therapy being effective. The time is yours and my role is to help you through the process by creating a safe place in which you feel comfortable to talk through the personal and difficult areas in your life. I work with the issues that you bring, at a pace which is right for you and will support you in exploring options that help you reach a decision that feels right for you.

Anxiety is a common experience, often triggered by stressful situations like starting a new job, moving, or relationship challenges. While normal in small doses, strong or prolonged anxiety can feel overwhelming.

Anxiety stems from the body's natural "fight or flight" response to perceived danger, increasing heart rate and causing symptoms like sweaty palms. This reaction protects us in the short term but can persist, even when the danger is gone, leading to an anxiety disorder.

It’s often linked to situations we feel we can’t control, past traumas, low confidence, or poor physical health. Neglecting sleep, exercise, and diet can worsen anxiety, creating a cycle where we become anxious about feeling anxious.

Types of anxiety can include:

• Generalised Anxiety: Excessive worry about everyday matters.
• Specific Phobias: Fear of particular things, like heights or animals.
• Social Anxiety: Fear of social situations and interactions.
• Panic Disorder: Sudden, intense episodes of fear or panic.

Counselling can help by exploring the causes of anxiety, identifying triggers, and addressing thoughts or behaviours that contribute to it. Therapy provides a space to reflect and work through these challenges.

Hunger isn’t just about food; it can reflect dissatisfaction with life, a sign we’re seeking something deeper but using food to distract ourselves.

Women are often taught to criticize their bodies, striving for unrealistic ideals shaped by media and fashion. This pursuit can lead to restrictive eating, dissatisfaction, and unhealthy behaviors. If body image affects your happiness or daily life, professional support can help.

I offer workshops and therapy to improve women’s relationships with food and body image. Together, we explore negative thought patterns, myths about dieting, and practice affirmations and imagery to change self-critical attitudes. Trusting your body can help you eat intuitively, enjoy your body, and move away from a diet mentality. Many find their natural weight when they reconnect with their appetites.

Body-Centered Therapy

This experiential approach recognizes that emotions and memories, including past trauma, are stored in the body. Using movement, gesture, sound, and awareness, we uncover blocked experiences and patterns, fostering self-awareness and emotional release. This process can reduce anxiety, improve decision-making, and build confidence, helping you feel more grounded and self-accepting.

Whilst traditional talking therapy can help many people, using the natural environment as a therapeutic resource offers an alternative to traditional talking therapies. There is wide recognition of the natural world as a positive resource for our mental and physical wellbeing, help calm the nervous system, lower blood pressure and boost positive feelings.

Therapy in Nature allows for time to pause and experience nature, to listen to the natural sounds around you, feel the earth underneath your feet and the soil in your hands. Being in nature offers us the opportunity to be in the present moment where we take time to be still and silent and absorb the raw beauty of their natural surroundings. In this tranquil environment people come to rediscover their natural ability to heal and to experience themselves at their best.

As part of my services, I am offering opportunities for clients to connect more deeply with the healing that nature can provide. Nature may occasionally be integrated into your therapy through encouraging you to engage with nature in a mindful way between sessions, through the use of natural materials in the therapy room, by fostering the benefits of a room with a view and, where appropriate to your individual needs, by taking therapy sessions outdoors. For some, nature-based therapy can be particularly helpful in processing past trauma. This may not suit everyone, so it only occurs if you are interested in engaging in this process and after discussion.