As my counselling career has progressed I have evolved my approach to client work.  In my early days I was focused so much on technical skills that I was in danger of forgetting the most important element to counselling:  the relationship between client and counsellor.
 
Although I have not forgotten this when it comes to the work I do with each client, perhaps I had let this slip my mind when I designed my website.  I noticed that it did not speak as clearly about my approach as I had hoped.
 
I am pleased therefore to announce that my website has now been substantially reworked to reflect my approach to counselling.  And this is…
 
The core of my approach to counselling is Person-Centred, and so I believe that you will be able to find the answers.  It may be that you need support with this, but I will not approach counselling with a pre-conceived notion of what might be helpful for you.  Instead, I will work hard with you to understand your dilemmas, and I will support you to find your own way through.

I have been trained to integrate other approaches, and as each person is unique, it is important to adapt my approach to suit your individual needs.  This means that I can draw upon a number of different theories to inform our work, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Transactional Analysis (TA), Psychodynamic psychotherapy, and Gestalt psychotherapy.
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If appropriate, I can offer clients an alternative way of exploring an issue.  Examples include writing exercises, drawing, visualisation exercises and role play (such as the empty-chair technique).  I offer short and long term work depending on your individual needs and your preferred way of working.

Hope that is clear.  Do get in touch!
 
Chris Warren-Dickins BACP Registered Counsellor
E:  chris@exploretransform.com
T:  07816681154
W: www.exploretransform.com

If a relationship is causing you difficulty, whether that is a relationship with a loved one, a friend, or a family member, have a look at my Relationships Toolkit.  

​http://www.exploretransform.com/relationships.html
Chris Warren-Dickins BACP Registered Counsellor
E:  chris@exploretransform.com
T:  07816681154
W: www.exploretransform.com

Depression can leave your brain in a muddle. Try the simple, quick tips in my Depression Toolkit to help you sort through the chaos  http://www.exploretransform.com/depression.html
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Chris Warren-Dickins BACP Registered Counsellor
E:  chris@exploretransform.com
T:  07816681154
W: www.exploretransform.com
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Work issues are often inescapable, and changing jobs is not always an option.  Arm yourself with my Work Issues Toolkit, a set of quick, easy to use tips to transform your perspective of a working environment http://www.exploretransform.com/work-issues.html
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Chris Warren-Dickins BACP Registered Counsellor
E:  chris@exploretransform.com
T:  07816681154
W: www.exploretransform.com
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Families can be a safe haven or a trap.  If you are finding it difficult to manage issues that arise in your family, have a look at the Families Issues Toolkit.  http://www.exploretransform.com/family-issues.html  
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Chris Warren-Dickins BACP Registered Counsellor
E:  chris@exploretransform.com
T:  07816681154
W: www.exploretransform.com
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You cannot change much without acceptance.  The more you try to push things away, the more power you give to the very thing you wish to change.  

Mindfulness can help you to work through your difficulties by becoming aware of the present and accepting it.  This includes becoming aware of, and accepting, your thoughts, feelings and bodily sensations.

To anchor yourself in the moment, here are two quick tips:

1. Ask yourself ‘What is happening right now?’  Simply become aware of your thoughts, your feelings, and your bodily sensations.  Do not try to change anything, but simply become aware of these things.  

2.  Focus on your breathing:  Your mind will wander.  Let it.  You may feel angry, frustrated, or irritated.  So be it.  Simply remain aware of all of this, and return your attention back to the present moment by focusing on your breathing.  Notice the in-breath, and then the out-breath.  Do not try to change anything.  Just maintain a focus on your breathing.

I hope you find this useful.  Do let me know what you think.
 
This is part of the Mindfulness Toolkit, and more of this can be found here:  http://www.exploretransform.com/mindfulness.html
 
Chris Warren-Dickins BACP Registered Counsellor
E:  chris@exploretransform.com
T:  07816681154
W:  www.exploretransform.com
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Depression often results from negative thoughts which cause a low mood, and which in turn causes a reduced activity, which in turn causes more negative thoughts.  This is known as the depression cycle.  If you find that you are caught in this cycle, try and break free by increasing your activity.  

You increase the level of activity in your life by setting yourself simple tasks.  Do not try and set yourself large projects, as these will be harder to achieve, and then you will only end up feeling worse.  Instead, start with small tasks which you feel sure you can achieve.

Once you have started to achieve these small tasks, slowly try and increase the number of tasks achieved in a day.  You can also include a mixture of different types of activities (social, educational, creative, recreational), so that the variety makes things more enjoyable.

You should also keep an 'activity diary', to record the number of activities you are involved with each day. When we are experiencing a low mood, we can sometimes minimise or dismiss our achievements, so writing it down serves to remind us of all that we have accomplished.  Try also to record how you feel as you carry out each task.  This can serve as useful notes to reflect on and see when you are more likely to feel down.

Do not expect to immediately find these tasks enjoyable.  If you are suffering from a low mood then this will often reduce the enjoyment of tasks.  But as we slowly increase the frequency of our activities, it is hoped that the mood will also lift.

Do let me know how you get on with this.  I would love to hear from you.
 
This is part of the Depression Toolkit, and more of this can be found here:  http://www.exploretransform.com/depression.html
 
Chris Warren-Dickins BACP Registered Counsellor
E:  chris@exploretransform.com
T:  07816681154
W:  www.exploretransform.com
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