Counselling Services - Support For Your Journey Ahead
Rock Counselling: Where your counselling journey begins
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Let me introduce myself
About me
I am Susan and my practice is called Rock Counselling. I am a fully qualified, BACP registered, Integrative Counsellor. Which means I am trained in a number of different modalities, including Psychodynamic, CBT, Person Centred and Pluralistic Counselling. This allows me to collaborate flexibly with you, with you choosing a counselling programme that works best for you.
I have several years' experience of working within an addiction setting, both as a counsellor and as a group worker.
I came to counselling later in life, having spent my working life in finance. An extended period of living abroad led me to volunteer as a Samaritan. After several years of volunteering I decided to train as a counsellor, as I longed to collaborate consistently with clients, to develop strong therapeutic relationships, over both short and long term work. I believe that you are the expert in your own life and you hold the solution to whatever it is that you are facing. It is my role to assist and support you in identifying what the issues are, what your goals for counselling are and how you wish to achieve them.
What is Counselling?
How can counselling support you?
Counselling is a form of talking therapy. It is not about fixing you or changing you beyond recognition. It is about helping you to live in a way that is fulfilling and true to who you are, as well as addressing aspects of your life that are not working well for you.
Counselling is about working together, providing a space for you to examine, explore and clarify where you are at present. To grow in self-awareness, not only about yourself, but also how you interact with others and in different environments. Finding a way forward in your life that has meaning and value to you. It will help you to address the ways that you think, feel and behave. It will assist you in identifying your own inner strengths and resources, helping you to find solutions to the issue/s that brought you to counselling. All whilst promoting healing both psychologically and emotionally.
How we can work together
Person Centred Counselling
Person Centred Counselling is focused on the client's experience, personal growth and self-discovery.
The relationship with clients is non-directive and is built upon trust and acceptance of the client's experience and viewpoint. Where clients can explore their thoughts and feelings without judgement. With the core principal of empathy, unconditional positive regard and congruence at the centre of the therapeutic relationship.
CBT
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy helps identify and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviours. It is effective in treating anxiety, depression, eating disorders and addictions. Addressing the present rather than the past, with a more structured approach. Then focusing on reframing the client's thought pattern and altering negative behaviour/s that feed into the negative thinking. This type of counselling is about action rather than talking. Clients would complete homework tasks to reinforce learning and application of the new skills learned.
Psychodynamic Counselling
Psychodynamic Counselling is focused on how unconscious thoughts, feelings and memories affect your present day feelings and behaviours. This tends to be a deeper and longer process, where the past is examined in detail, in order to identify how it shaped you into who you are today. It also assists clients with identifying what it is that they want to change in their lives.
Pluralistic Counselling
A Pluralistic framework for counselling allows me to work with clients in a way that is uniquely structured for them. It allows me to utilise the elements of all the modalities I am trained in, to address the preferences, goals and needs of my client, in a manner of their choosing. This is a collaborative approach where I work with the client to create a counselling programme that is as unique as they are. Where we regularly review our work together and adjust it as required, in accordance with my client's needs.
Addiction Counselling
Addiction is unique to each person, with common themes within their experience. I work with my clients to reduce harm and it is the client who determines what recovery means to them. Whether they want to reduce the substance/behaviour or be abstinent. We can look at the reasons around the addiction and/or work on the cessation or management of it. Each client will approach this in their own way.
How do we start?
Your first session
I understand that it can be a daunting prospect reaching out for support from someone you do not yet know. If you send me a message, I will typically respond within 24 hours. I offer a free 15-minute introduction, either by telephone or on zoom, at a time that works for us both. During the introduction, you will have the opportunity to share what led you to counselling and what you wish to achieve. I will provide insight into how we could work together and how the therapeutic approaches I use could assist you. You are then free to take your time to decide if you wish to proceed.
This should help you in deciding if working together is right for you. It is important that you find a counsellor that is a good fit for you and your circumstances.
If you do proceed, then during our first session together, after we have discussed and agreed our working contract, you will have the opportunity to share more fully, the issues you are experiencing. We will then formulate a plan and timeline for our work together, of your choosing.
Rock Counselling: Covering West Dunbartonshire and beyond
Where we are based
Rock Counselling is based in Dumbarton, a 12 minute walk from Dumbarton East Train Station, with close links to local buses. I work from a Garden Room at home which is accessed via the side entrance to the garden. There is private, off street parking available if you are driving.
We cover West Dunbartonshire and beyond, as we are easily reached via road, rail, bus, the Erskine Bridge and the Renfrew Bridge.
