Counselling & Psychotherapy
Really looking at your life and the situation you are in, takes courage.
Perhaps life feels almost unbearable right now and you are at a loss as to how to move forward. Coming to counselling can be a big step, but I am here to accompany you, to offer you my wholehearted support in finding a way through what is difficult in your life at the moment.
How does counselling work?
Therapy can help you to transform your suffering into an opportunity for personal growth and life expansion. Having someone who listens deeply to you, someone who doesn’t judge but accepts you unconditionally, can help you gain clarity and a new perspective on your situation. Through the therapeutic process you will find a new level of understanding and compassion for yourself and the factors that are at play in your life. Having said that, counselling can be very challenging at times, but together we can find a way to make changes that will lead you toward a meaningful and fulfilling life.
How do I work?
I (Bo) draw from a variety of different modalities to form an integrated approach that can be adapted to your needs and preference. So that might involve an in-depth exploration of your past, or something that is more action oriented and behavioural. Or perhaps both at different points in the counselling process. My aim is to work collaboratively with you to help you (re)discover your own inner compass and wisdom.
Together we aim to ground and resource yourself so you can better tend to the parts of you that are vulnerable, afraid or living in the past.
I hold a Postgraduate diploma in Other Centred counselling and psychotherapy from the Tariki Institute, as well as a certificate in Counselling Psychology. The main therapeutic modality that informs how I work with people is IFS-internal family systems therapy. This is an approach that takes a very compassionate and non-pathologising view to whatever might be going on, and aims to help you accept and embrace all of your parts. Other therapeutic trainings I have completed include: Mindfulness approaches and ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) and Sensorimotor psychotherapy for trauma and working with sexual trauma and rape.
Other elements of my background that influence the way I work:
I hold a Masters degree in Cultural Anthropology and Sociology as well as a certificate in philosophy and religious studies.
I have a longstanding and ongoing yoga and meditation practice– so working with mindfulness, breathing techniques and body awareness are an important element of my work.
I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and abide by their code of ethics and professional standards.
In working with you I will:
- Offer you space to be. A safe space to be all of yourself.
- Accept you fully and support you through your suffering.
- Help you live more in the present, less constrained by repetitive or obsessive thoughts.
- Encourage you to challenge limiting beliefs and narratives about yourself and your life.
- Investigate with you what may be underlying your difficulties and symptoms.
- Create space for new perspectives and fresh insights.
- Help you develop more compassion for yourself and others in your life.
- Engage creatively with your positive vision and sense of purpose and meaning.
- Give you practical tools and strategies to work with on a daily basis.
What is the difference between counselling and psychotherapy?
The difference is not entirely clearcut. But generally counselling tends to be slightly shorter termed, whereas psychotherapy refers to longer and more in-depth work. I tend not to distinguish explicitly and work with you to a length and depth that works for you. That means we can be flexible in how we work together and collaboratively we will find an approach that suits your needs.
Sessions can also be conducted via Skype or Zoom. Most importantly however I aim to offer you my unconditional support and give you permission to be fully yourself, in all your breadth and depth.
What sort of issues do I work with?
Issues I work with include: depression, anxiety, panic attacks, bereavement, relationship issues, trauma, addiction, low self-esteem, suicidal thoughts and anything else that you may be struggling with.
Please get in touch if you would like to have some more information or an informal chat.
What do other people say?
“Therapy has been incredible. It was not at all like what I expected. As a result of the sessions with Bo, and facing up to some uncomfortable parts of my past, I feel so much more confident now.
I don’t take things so personally anymore, I worry a lot less about what other people might think about me and feel much stronger in myself. I really notice the effect this has had on my relationships, both with my partner and in a wider sense.”
RN- Inverness
“Before I started psychotherapy with Bo, I had some doubt about the efficacy of the process, but had an open mind. However, over the course of a number of weeks Bo really helped to provide a safe space for me to talk about aspects of my life which I had felt uncomfortable talking about. I originally thought that it was unnecessary and harmful to speak about these things but at the end of each session I increasingly found my mind to be clearer. I had the miraculous sensation of being able to confront what was troubling me and therefore able to make logical positive changes to my life.
I am certain that I could not have done this without the help of psychotherapy with Bo. Her warmth and humour, and the comfort of the room all helped to create a feeling of safety from which to talk. The result has been seemingly greater than the sum of its parts, and I currently no longer feel the need for psychotherapy. “
(J.S-Lochinver)
