Counselling Services

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Depression

We all have times when we feel down or go through a hard time, especially if we have relationship problems, worry about money and health, are unemployed or someone we care about dies.

Most of the time the sad feelings go away and we become happy again. Sometimes the sad feelings stay and life isn’t much fun anymore. Feelings of worthlessness, fatigue, lack of motivation and negative thoughts take over.

If you have been feeling sad for a long time, but can’t think of a good reason for this, it could be depression. Talking about it and exploring depression in the safety of counselling, helps to identify the reasons for depression and develop strategies to live a happier life.

 

 

Anxiety, Worry and Panic

Facing new situations and challenges is not easy. Sweating, stomach upsets, racing heart, dry mouth, shaking, are all signs that the body has gone into fight or flight mode.

Anxiety can cause panic attacks and fear of certain situations and things. Sometimes anxiety causes constant worry and tension that affect all areas of a person’s life.

Learning to identify triggers or warning signs and using strategies to cope, puts you back in control.

 

 

Stress

There is good stress that challenges and motivates and bad stress that makes us ill. It is impossible to avoid stress, but possible to identify it, work with it and learn from it.

Too much stress throws your life out of balance and leaves you feeling burnt out and unable to cope.

Learn how to regain balance and control during the difficult times when the pressure of work, family, finances, time, relationships, care-giving, become too much.

 

 

Grief and Loss

Grief comes many times throughout a person’s life in the losses of unemployment, treasured things, unfulfilled dreams, declining health, friends moving away and relationships breaking up.

People who become disabled through accident or illness experience loss on many different levels and parents of disabled children go through the grief cycle many times.

Often people don’t understand our grief or how to help, but bottling it up will not make it go away.

Counselling is a safe place to express strong emotions. I will listen to you in a non-judgemental, compassionate way.

 

 

Life Transitions and Change

Transitions are a normal part of life – starting school, going to high school, finding a job, leaving home, entering a long term relationship, starting a family, stopping work, retiring, dealing with death and bereavement.

Being prepared for transitions makes it easier to cope. Resisting change means missing the opportunities and lessons it might bring.

In counselling you will learn to confidently step up to the challenges, having explored
many options so you can make good decisions for the future.

 

 

Identity

Being different can give a sense of pride and belonging or it can be a source of shame, embarrassment and guilt. It can cause exclusion or celebration.

Being Deaf means embracing a culture, language and community.

Society has certain expectations of how people should look or behave, but many of the ‘great minds’, inventors, artists and entrepreneurs are people that society labels as ‘odd’ or ‘different’.

Knowing ‘who’ you are means celebrating the differences and special qualities that make you unique.

Sometimes all you need is another perspective to help you uncover the gems within.

 

 

Bullying, Violence, Abuse

Being different can lead to rejection, marginalisation, oppression and cruelty. Name calling, labelling, physical, emotional and verbal abuse are all used by bullies to make another person feel small and worthless.

No-one is worthless and no-one should live in fear.

Counselling will give you strategies and tools to become a “dignified warrior”, taking a stand against bullying, violence and abuse.

 

 

Work Issues

Relationships with managers and co-workers can become strained if communication is not good.

Sometimes the physical environment needs to be adapted for Deaf or disabled people.

In counselling we will work together to identify the barriers to inclusion and job satisfaction, and work out steps to improve the situation, communicate without blame or arguing, and find a way forward.

 

 

Anger Management

Frustration and disappointment can escalate to become full-blown anger or rage.

In counselling you will learn to identify the triggers and warning signs of an eruption of anger and how to calm the storm within so that feelings and needs can be expressed safely. Rather than attack people or things, we will focus on the problem and work through issues to find solutions.

 

 

Confidence and Self-Esteem

Negative experiences and negative feedback from parents, teachers, doctors, religious
leaders and significant people can erode confidence and self-esteem.

Abuse, teasing, bullying, shaming, neglect, all prevent the development of a positive view of self.

Many people feel they are not good enough and often compare themselves with others.

In counselling you will learn to challenge these negative thoughts and how to focus instead on positive self-talk. You will learn to become confident and proud of ‘who’ you are.

 

 

Loneliness

Times of solitude and being alone can be replenishing
and opportunities for reflection and meditation.

Loneliness is feeling that no-one cares and can come after broken relationships,
broken hearts and broken dreams; or when feeling different and unwanted; or if
isolated from other people by disability or care-giving.

Loss of loved ones or the capacity to function, feeling misunderstood and left out can
make you feel alone and sometimes vulnerable.

In counselling you will experience compassion and being listened to as we explore
solutions to open up your world.

 

 

Assertiveness

Assertiveness is being able to say what you need confidently without aggression, whining, crying or pleading. It is being able to say ‘no’ without feeling guilty and having your boundaries and rights respected.

Sometimes it seems easier to give in to another person to avoid anger and rejection or to keep the peace, instead of doing what you want to do.

Sometimes it is difficult to ask for help or express anger, disappointment and
frustration appropriately.

In counselling you can practise confident ways to express your values, beliefs and needs.