Why People Seek Counselling?
There are times when you may feel unable to cope, depressed, anxious, alone or challenged by life events. Memories from the past, painful events in the present or concerns about the future may inhibit enjoyment of your life or your ability to achieve your ambitions.

How Does Counselling / Psychotherapy Help?
It enables you to talk and share your problems with someone skilled in listening who will be able to help you understand how past experiences and current behaviour may be linked, or make sense of your current situation thus empowering you to make informed choices. The session is a creative space in which to explore thoughts and feelings in an individual or group setting.

The Counselling Relationship
The counselling relationship is unique and different from social relationships in that it is limited to the counselling sessions. It provides a safe place in which to explore your feelings both past and present and their meaning within the context of your current situation.

Theoretical Basis
Counselling is based, amongst other things, on the understanding of the unfolding of a person’s life from birth onwards. It includes an understanding of relationships that develop during growth into adulthood. There are many different theoretical models within the field of counselling and psychotherapy, but essentially they all focus on gaining insight and understanding the human personality and the way in which individuals interact with each other. Many incorporate the unconscious mind as well as conscious attitudes, and aid the resolution of unconscious conflicts, which allows the development of a persons full potential.

Confidentiality
All information disclosed to your counsellor is in strictest confidence; however, there are some legal restrictions upon the withholding of certain information. This will be explained to you by your counsellor during the first session.

Code of Ethics
All counsellors at the Achilles Centre are members of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and are bound by their Code of Ethics and Practice, and subject to their Complaints Procedure.