frequently asked questions

There are different types of counselling. Holistic counselling is similar to conventional counselling in that it is a ‘talk’ therapy; the practitioner takes a stance of generative listening – listening to the cues within the client’s story to locate underlying feelings and needs, asking questions to deepen understanding.

The particular difference of holistic counselling is that the facilitator engages a variety of techniques that are designed specifically to shift the hold that a particular issue has over the client. These techniques work on specific elements of a client’s issue: The recurring thoughts, the stressful emotions, the trauma from past experiences, generational symptoms, incapacity to effectively communicate one’s needs, etc.

Additionally, a holistic counsellor will consider the wisdom of the body in their analysis of the client’s experience. Where does the emotion reside in the body? What is the sensation?

Issues generally have a body resonance or symptom as well as the story that the mind has of the problem. Looking and working with the body can often shift an issue in a quicker, more effective way than bringing only a cognitive understanding to the problem.

For example, we may be angry with our spouse. The story of their wrong doing runs through our mind tediously. And it tires us. We want freedom from the experience of the anger. 
If we go to the churning stomach, the rage that lies there and really acknowledge it, really make room for it, we can begin to feel some movement in it, some release. As a result the story, the one of resentment and hurt can consequently lose its grip and we can feel some relief from the monotony of the painful thoughts.

Put simply, holistic counsellors work with the whole person – no symptom, no movement is overlooked – all reactions, thoughts and emotions are considered valuable signs to what is trapped – the ‘that’ which might be freed.

These methods all have proven results. Each technique is, as we are so far aware, the quickest, most effective way to heal its related issue. In fact, holistic counselling largely exists because conventional counselling and therapy have not met the expectations of those looking for genuine relief and real change in their lives.

My ongoing professional development is committed to updating all techniques as new evidence and methods become available. Currently this is most apparent in the field of trauma studies. Academics and practitioners such as Besel Van Der Kolk, Pat Ogden, Dan Siegel, Stephen Porges and Peter Levine are researching the brain’s response to trauma and formulating therapeutic methods that rewire a patient’s neural pathways for sustained and concrete relief.

I value a grounded practice and operate out of the principles of person-centred therapy – meeting the client where they’re at, rather than operating toward any particular agenda. I employ a genuine, empathic, courageous approach in my practice.

In the first session we fill in a form with your personal details – contact details, family situation, the issue that brings you to counselling, etc. We might also begin to move into discussing significant life events and your family history. Within this process there is space for exploring any issues as they surface and beginning to do some work around anything that seems manageable. We will also discuss confidentiality, fees etc. The session runs for approximately 1.5 hours and generally clients report a sense of ease or relief as a result of this initial consult.

Holistic Counselling is not like traditional psychotherapy that might require an extended commitment of time.

Holistic Counselling operates beyond the ‘story’ and works to uproot the seed of the problem. My job as a holistic counsellor is to interrupt the story telling process with inquiry and techniques that take you to a deeper awareness of your issue. Together we look to see where the story is pointing.

Generally speaking clients attend the practice for one of two reasons: They are seeking support in a time of crisis, or they are seeking support in their day-to-day life.

One client describes it, ‘like getting a service on your car’ – nothing is terribly wrong, but the check-in keeps everything operating smoothly.

A crisis is more overwhelming – clients might feel a sense of hitting ‘rock bottom’, or an incapacity to move forward, make a decision, or lift themselves out of despair. In this instance it is advised clients attend once a week and should begin to see a change with 2 or 3 sessions. Many clients report a sense of something shifting after even the first session. Very generally speaking I would expect to see a significant difference within 6 sessions.

Some clients value holistic counselling for a sense of ongoing support. Every few weeks or once a month they book in to clear any psychological ‘back-log’, to discharge any difficulty around an issue, or to ‘check-in’ as part of their program of self development.

It is important to note that many of the techniques I use can also be used by you at home. And perhaps more importantly many of the techniques have elements within them that can change the way your brain works, so that you’re not having to constantly practice new ways, but instead find new ways become a natural ‘go-to’ for your mind.

No, CBT trains clients in strategies to control thoughts. I use Byron Katie’s ‘The Work’ instead which recognises that thoughts are close to impossible to control – they come and go like the breath. The Work offers ‘inquiry’ into the stressful beliefs behind the thoughts. The insights this program of questions provides gives clients relief from the hold the thought has, sometimes instantaneously.

“While the approach in CBT is to challenge, dispute or stop thoughts; in ‘inquiry’, the goal is to ‘meet them with understanding’’’ (Hidalgo, p.11).

No, unfortunately under current laws there is no provision for holistic counselling services to be included within private health insurance policies or the mental health plan. However my fees are kept at a rate which allows my services to remain as accessible as possible.