Laura Jayne Dunning

This word refers to the importance of the relationship between therapist and client. In my experience, most of the suffering that humans experience is created in relationships with others. Therefore, the way that these issues can be soothed is within the safety of a trusting and warm relationship. When something enters in via a relationship it must also leave via a relationship.

Integrative

Psychotherapy is an approach to emotional suffering that uses a psychological approach rather than a medical model e.g. medications. Psychotherapy is one of numerous talking therapies because it involves talking about an emotional difficulty which could be anything from grief to anxiety, relationship difficulties to addiction.

The term Psychotherapy can often get mixed up with the term Counselling. There is no absolute definition, however, in my experience, counsellors tend to work shorter term and focus on a specific issue, whereas, psychotherapists can work at a deeper level and support with issues relating to deep sense of self. The length of training for psychotherapists is also significantly greater than that of a counsellor.

I often hear people saying that their suffering isn’t serious enough to get support. However, I strongly believe that anyone can benefit from being listened to in a safe space, becoming increasingly aware of how they see the world and why.