Janie Cruse
Person-Centered and Integrative Counsellor

I have a particular interest in mental health and wellbeing, and the power that a mindful awareness of our own internal state can have in providing us with self-knowledge and the ability to regain a sense of control in our lives. I believe that counselling can help to foster this awareness as you allow yourself the space to listen to your emotions and understand your response to them.

 

My core approach as a therapist is Person-Centred, and as such, the focus of our work together will be on your own experience and your understanding of what is right for you. I believe that everyone has within them the information they need to understand themselves more deeply and to find the solutions which are right for them rather than following the advice of others as so many of us feel obligated to do.

 

Within a Person-Centred framework, I seek to integrate elements of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) where appropriate to help you if you feel stuck in negative cycles or ways of thinking. This can help you to understand ways in which your negative thinking patterns are creating difficulties in your relationship with yourself and others, and find practical solutions to challenge these.

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I may also introduce ideas from Transactional Analysis (TA) as a way for you to identify issues which continually repeat themselves in your relationships with others and which you wish to change.

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When working with couples, I am always mindful of the fact that you may both have very different feelings about engaging with therapy and I will do my best to ensure that both parties feel as comfortable and listened to as possible.

Couples therapy can be a daunting prospect and create a great deal of anxiety, but it is important to remember that you do not need to be in crisis to benefit from counselling. everyone, both couples and individuals can benefit from a space to explore how things are going, to understand your responses to each other, and to try to find ways to be happier together, in order that you can bring more harmony (and fun!) to your relationship.  

Couples counselling can help to to resolve conflict; to identify ways of relating to each other that have become unhelpful; to start to find a way back to each other after an affair, or even to navigate a separation. 

It could also a way of booking in for a 'Relationship MOT' for couples that have been together for a long time and simply want to reconnect and enjoy each other more.