Mary MacCallum Sullivan
When we have problems in living productively, or in our relations with others, we suffer emotional distress, which can show itself through depression, anxiety, phobias, physical symptoms or relationship breakdown.
Psychotherapy and counselling focus on the distinctively personal and interpersonal dimension of our existence in the world, and explore the nature of our experience, how it affects us and how we, in turn, affect and interact with others.
As a psychotherapist, my key activity is to listen: to listen in a particularly intensive fashion, taking in the complexity and multi-levelled meanings that are conveyed when we speak or are silent, communicating both verbally and non-verbally.
The art of psychotherapy lies in ‘weaving and gathering threads of meaning from words into experiencing, from experiencing into words. The threads have to be capable of holding powerful feelings and are woven between both therapist and client’ (Pearmain 2001:11).
... noticing, wondering, questioning and being open ....
I try to help clients make sense – their own sense, not mine – of their experience, of what lies behind unproductive patterns of behaviour or emotion, as a means of making changes. I provide a ‘safe space’ to experience, articulate and share feelings and thoughts. By reflecting together on our own interaction, and accessing clients’ own inner self-awareness we can usually both better understand the client’s dilemmas and find the way to personal change and development.
This process of acceptance and discovery may be accomplished in the space of up to 12 weekly sessions, but may take between 24 – 45 sessions (6 months to 1 year ).
Sessions take place in an environment which offers clients privacy and a confidential relationship. The contractual basis of the work is always dependent on the client's clear and autonomous agreement.
An initial consultation offers, without obligation, the opportunity to explore whether psychotherapy seems a useful option. Should you decide to proceed, clear agreement will be reached at this initial stage over all major contractual arrangements.
Code of Ethics and Practice
As a Professional Member of the School of Psychotherapy and Counselling at Regent’s College, Inner Circle, Regent’s Park, London NW1 4NS, I adhere to its Code of Ethics and Practice, which is available on request from the address above.