Specialising in Relationship and Psychosexual problems
I do offer telephone & skype counselling if clients are unable to keep an appointment
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to read more information on Sex Therapy (Psychosexual), Cognitive Behavioural, Psychodynamic,Solution Focused, Hypnotherapy
Welcome to Lavinia Holley
Trying to find the right therapist for you can be an overwhelming task at a time when you may feeling overwhelmed by the problems that you are trying to sort out. Some of the terms used and training qualifications can be confusing and unhelpful.
So here are some guidelines which may help:
Look for a therapist that is a member of, or preferably accredited by an organisation like British Association for Sexual and Relationship Therapy, or British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. This ensures that the therapist has got a recognised qualification, is receiving regular supervision of work, and keeping updated by attending ongoing professional development courses.
Phone the therapist and ask about how he/she works within the therapy offered. See if you like what you hear and if you feel comfortable with that person.
Once you have commenced therapy there is no reason at all for you to continue if you feel as though it is not working for you, but it is always advisable to discuss this with the therapist beforehand.
Working with your problems in therapy should feel like being supported, acknowledged and guided to the solutions that you would like to achieve. It is only then that the infinite possibilities for change will occur, after all nobody knows you better than you. A good therapist is trained and experienced to enable you to discover your own inner strengths.
Sex Therapy (Psychosexual)
Specialises in treating sexual dysfunctions these include;
- Erectile dysfunction - Being unable to get or maintain an erection
- Premature ejaculation - Not having control of ejaculating
- Retarded ejaculation - Inhibition of ejaculation, absence of orgasm
- Vaginismus and Dyspareunia - Pain experienced during penetration or sexual intercourse.
- Anorgasmia - Inability to have an orgasm
- Inhibited sexual desire - Loss of desire both male and female.
- Sexual Aversion.
Some counsellors are able to work with clients for sexual counselling but a Psychosexual Therapist has 2 years additional training to work with sexual dysfunctions.
Cognitive Behavioural
The premise of CBT is that what people think affects how they feel emotionally and how they behave. During times of emotional distress the way a person sees and judges themselves may become more negative. CBT therapists aim to work jointly with the person to help them begin see the link between unhelpful thinking styles and mood. This may empower a person to have more control over negative emotion and to bring about changes in unhelpful behaviour. It can be particularly effective for stress related conditions, anxiety, obsessions, and depression.
Psychodynamic
This approach stresses the importance of the unconscious and past experience in determining current behaviour. The client is encouraged to talk about childhood relationships with parents and other significant people and the therapist focuses on the client/therapist relationship (the dynamics) and in particular on the transference. Transference is when the client projects onto the therapist, feelings experienced in previous significant relationships. The psychodynamic approach is derived from psychoanalysis.
Psychodynamic counselling uses the therapeutic relationship to gain insight into unconscious relationship patterns that evolved since childhood. Memories and other evidence of early relationships are used to make sense of current concerns. The process of change occurs as clients become more aware of the power of the unconscious, including:- defence mechanisms
- instincts and rules for life, to influence behaviour, and hence more able to control their actions and responses.
The therapeutic relationship in contemporary psychodynamic counselling is based on acceptance, empathy and understanding, with an emphasis on developing a good working alliance that fosters trust. The counsellor takes account of the real world of the client, including:- the impact of trauma
- cultural difference
- sexual orientation
- and social context.
Solution Focused
Solution focused brief therapy (SFBT) is a type of talking therapy that focuses on what clients want to achieve through therapy rather than on the problems that made them seek help.
The approach does not focus on the past, but instead, focuses on the present and future.
The therapist encourages the client to choose their preferred future, and then therapist and client start attending to any moves towards it whether these are small increments or large changes.
To support this, questions are asked about the client’s story, strengths and resources, and about exceptions to the problem.
Hypnotherapy
Hypnosis is a natural altered state of consciousness. It is induced by the hypnotist talking to the client in a way that facilitates relaxation. At all times the client is in full control of the session and is never asked to do something against their will. They usually have full memory of the event afterwards.
Service Categories
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Counselling, Hypnotherapist
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