York Clinic
Psychotherapy & Counselling
Counselling and psychotherapy are commonly referred to as ‘talking cures.' Both provide an opportunity for people to work with emotional problems in a safe and confidential setting, where they will be heard respectfully and without being judged. Below are listed some of the common problems that lead people to seek this form of help:
· Addictive and self-harming behaviours
· Dealing with the impact of abuse
· Difficulties in coming to terms with a bereavement or other traumatic experience
· Difficulties in adapting to change and/or making decisions
· Eating disorders
· Feelings of low mood or depression
· Feelings of anxiety, stress and/or panic
· Feelings of low self-esteem or a lack of assertiveness
· General dissatisfaction with life, or perhaps a sense of meaninglessness or lack of purpose
· Phobias
· Problems with relationships
There are some differing opinions among practitioners concerning the causes of emotional distress, but broadly speaking all psychotherapists and counsellors seek to help people to identify the reasons for their current difficulties, and to consider what they might like to change. The practitioners at the York Clinic differ in our approaches (see our individual entries for more details), but share a common aim of helping people to gain a sense of control over, and responsibility for, their lives. We will always aim to create a respectful, caring relationship in which you feel able to talk freely about your feelings, thoughts and behaviours. Our emphasis on responsibility also means that we don't regard counselling and psychotherapy as akin to medicine, or as something that's ‘done to' people, but as a collaborative venture in which both parties are active participants.
To find out more about the practitioners at the York Clinic, see the individual webpages of Carol Ashton, David Britten, Judith Emery and Val Wosket
For more general information about counselling and psychotherapy, visit the following sites:
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy
United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy
British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies