Existential/Humanistic therapists in Neilston, Scotland Scotland, United Kingdom GB

Are you feeling anxious, sad, angry or are generally feeling unfulfilled. I believe that we can create the life we would like, and therapy can help us to form what we'd like for ourselves, as that has been my personal experience. I am a warm, empathic therapist with a range of experience working with clients which includes relationship breakdowns and divorce, the challenges of family, addiction and low self-esteem. I work in a comfortable and confidential one to one setting at an established practice in North London. I will listen and empathise so we can develop what you would like for yourself at this stage in your life and what you'd like from your wider relationships, so you can take charge over your experience.  

We are all alike, we humans. I like to think we are a troika: we think, we feel, and we do things. When these three are in balance, that's good. When not, well, we literally feel imbalanced. The original meaning of 'troika' is a chariot pulled by three horses abreast. If one of the three is pulling harder than the others, you can imagine what the result will be. We have all experienced our feelings dominating what we think and what we do. We also know that heightened emotions stop us thinking clearly. And we all know what it is like for our feelings to define our behaviour. Letting our feelings, especially negative emotions, control our behaviour and our thinking, many therapists traditionally perceive these as flaws. And because they have common characteristics these regularities are put into categories of 'disorders' to be treated, rather than recognising issues like anxiety and low mood are feelings we all experience. Labels are often heuristics, as evidenced by the long-established tradition of therapists to formally focus on what is "wrong" and assume 'disorders' are dysfunctional states that can be 'cured'. Even a cursory glance at the history of psychology -- on which much of the therapy toolkits rely-- reveals the main focus was on the abnormal, the dysfunctional and deviations from normality. The term "Positive psychology" was attributed to Abraham Maslow in his 1954 book "Motivation and Personality" but the ethos of this was developed in earnest by Martin Seligman. While Psychology is older, Neuroscience is more recent. They are complementary, but currently seem to be on opposite sides of the mountain, boring tunnels to bring them closer together. Neuroscience is also helpful. But just as examining the flow of electrons in the circuitry of a laptop or smart phone doesn't help the observer to construct what the user is seeing or hearing, seeing which bits of the brain light up when stimulated inevitably has limitations. Part of the problem is that our brains never directly experience the world as it is: our brains are locked inside a cranial domain into which all neural inputs are filtered and interpreted. Science can help but some of the shortcomings can be addressed by philosophical considerations. And although the concept of 'philosophy' seems out of place, abstruse impenetrable discourse did little for its PR, the ancient Greeks regarded philosophy as medicine for the soul. One particular school of philosophy-Stoicism--underpins both Albert Ellis' Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy and Aaron Beck's CBT, (cognitive behavioural therapy). But very few CBT therapists are aware of its conceptual foundations and the debt owed to Stoicism. Interestingly, both were long-lived: Albert Ellis had 93 trips around the sun and Aaron Beck reached the milestone of 100 years. Much of the anxiety and worries we experience have long been scrutinised by existential philosophers. But sadly, few of their writings are fun to read. Essentially, our existence is subject to a continuing cycle of conflicts. We all know life embodies happiness and unhappiness; success and failure; sadness and joy; conflicts can be hard to resolve. For example, at a rational level we know we are mortal and have a finite lifetime. We all die. Sometimes we die three times; once when the body stops functioning, again when we are buried or cremated; and finally when our name is mentioned for the very last time. But although death is a reality, we also have a very strong instinct to survive. We want to live. And that very powerful feeling inevitably conflicts with the rational knowledge of our immortality. Some religions have an answer to that existential conundrum, but we are concerned with the here and now. However, trying to 'understand' these 'disorders' can be counter-productive. Spending time focusing on the pain of the past keeps the pain very much in the present. Recalling past hurt generates the same feelings in the present as in the original episode. Most people who feel overly anxious, or fearful, or unfulfilled, or hurt, or deemed 'broken' simply want to feel better. Keeping focused on past hurt isn't the best way to feel better from now on. Too many therapists are trained in one particular tradition, and then spend their time looking for people to "fix". I understand there are over 300 different named therapies. Which seems to parallel the plethora of different religions and religious sects. (In passing, a nod of the head to those who helped me understand the meaning of 'plethora'. It means a lot). Not only are contemporary therapies perpetually tweaked and reinvented, most were developed in the Western world and focus mainly on the individual. However, many non-Western cultures see the individuals as an integral part of other social units, particularly the family and the workplace. My starting point is how you want to feel from now on. And what's the best way to help you get from where you are now to where you want to be? I'm unashamedly eclectic. I use a blend of the very latest findings from neuroscience and psychology (to inform us how the brain works); I use my background in anthropology and human evolution to help understand how a brain that evolved 200,000 years ago often finds it hard to function in the complexities of the modern world. As our conscious minds can only think one thought at a time (multitasking being a bit a myth), we can make good use of that. A good starting point is focusing on high points in our life; by recalling those we don't just bring great memories to mind, we also recreate those wonderful feelings we felt at that time. So, just as we do our best work when we are at the top of your game, focusing on positive rather than negative feelings from the past is a great place to begin work. Just ask yourself if you make your best decisions when you are feeling low or when you are elated: heightened emotions (positive or negative) can adversely affect our cognition. As you will know when you have been furiously angry. Or when you have been so buoyed up that you feel all but unstoppable. Most people aren't 'broken'. But we may feel like it. From time to time we may well feel side-lined or undermined, held back, stuck, drained, numb, or otherwise constrained by a mismatch between expectations/aspirations and how we feel. The logical brain doesn't always align with emotions and feelings. Maybe external circumstances brought about persistent low mood. Perhaps your self-esteem took a nose-dive, or maybe you just find it hard to cope, or don't feel you're in control anymore. Our thoughts often control us, and determine our feelings--and our behaviour often depends on how we feel. Our thoughts don't just control us in the moment--long term they often prevent us from becoming the best version of who we could/should be. Are your thoughts stopping you from being the best version of who you could be? Let's loop back to philosophy. And in particular a school of philosophy developed over 2,000 years ago. The ethos of Stoicism addresses a fundamental question: how can you get the most out of life no matter what your circumstances? One of the key foundational principles that helps us navigate that most profound question is very simple: some things are up to us, and some things are not. So where then should we focus our energies? On things we can control, and which are up to us. And not on things beyond our control. Obviously we cannot influence the weather. We can only react to it. And that is a major clue: we can control our reactions and how we behave. Maybe even our thinking. Perhaps.  

Finding the right counsellor for you is one of the most important parts that will make therapy more effective and successful for you. Its not just about our qualifications but how we connect and work together. I am a Neurodivergent counsellor and have found this out very late in life, I understand how it feels to just not fit in or be able to conform to the 'norms' of society, to struggle to work out why we are different. How to find ways to learn who you are and love all those 'quirks' that make us different. I understand how this feels and will work with you to help you find your way to manage what you are experiencing. I have learnt experience with CNBC - childless not by choice and Chronic Pain & Fatigue conditions. With both of these I find it can really be beneficial that I have an understanding of how it feels and not just how it is to study these experiences. As well as working with Adults I also work as a counsellor with young people in schools, colleges and my private practice.  

My work is based on inner-child healing, goal setting, and building mental resilience, underpinned by science.  

Results are important and that is what I deliver fast. Evidenced results and great testimonials. I am a Psychotraumatologist with offices in Harley Street, London & Milton Keynes which is my base, as an Integrative Counsellor / Psychotherapist / Hypnotherapist . I am an Author, Senior Lecturer and experienced Conference Speaker. I am part of the Expert Witness programme in UK. I am currently researching a second Masters in Trauma and Spirituality, and have an interest in Neuro-feedback and presently use bio-feedback to aid my various patient’s recovery, in relation to Major Trauma therapies, and will publish findings in one of my latest books. My patients feel comfortable as I offer a very relaxed and welcoming, yet totally professional service. I work with any type of personal issues. My Work: This has included my work for various large Multi-National and National Companies, such as Babcock International, ITV- Television, The Royal Mail and Her Majesty’s Prison Service; including work for local authorities – Social Services. Also for occupational health / eap's, and Insurance Companies, Solicitors, Immigration, Disabilities PIP. Employers. I help with Anxieties, Depression / Fears & Phobias, Personality Disorders, Sexuality / Relationships / Rape / Violence / Complex - Combat Trauma / PTSD, Abuse / Family / Children and support those with personality disorders. I have an Enhanced DBS with checks including the Barred Listings for Vulnerable Adults and Chidren. Part of my service is to also produce Personal Psychotrauma Psychotherapy Assessment Reports to companies or institutions. Fast Therapy is offered at the Psych-Trauma Surgery here, Convergence Counselling Services London (CCSL) agency & the NewStart Services in Central Milton Keynes. Our Therapy is 'means' tested and we may offer you concessionary fees for counselling and only £69 for initial psychotherapy assessments. Our caring work does not usually allow low finances to prevent access to therapy. Prices and further information is on the private practice web site at: www.talktherapy4u.org and the public service www.thebus-stop.org which depends on the seriousness of your issues. NewStart Service: There is also regular weekly counselling at our NewStart Drop-In & Counselling Service in CMK, run by volunteers, which is on a first come first served basis when a volunteer is in attendance through the week. This is a two tier service and is a Free Drop-In for crisis listening and then after assessment or £20, regular counselling will be means tested priced from only £20 per session and we have many therapist available there and in our local private practice with regular Psychotherapy also offered at reasonable navel rates. Please Note: My work at The Lifescript Clinic of Harley Street in London, is priced from over £300 per session, due to location costs and my personal experience level offered, see web site. I also offer some private charitable pro-bono work, at the NewStart Drop-In service in CMK too. For Major Trauma Therapy (C-PTSD & PTSD) in MK, my fees are usually around £80-99, single session for those who are currently employed and is means tested also. See my latest book on Trauma Therapy… 'NO MORE TRAUMA' Why Suffer in Silence? ~ Rev Dr George A. Booty.