My Counselling
At Cathy Mitchell Counselling, I offer professional, compassionate support for adults and young people of all ages. Here's what you can expect when you choose to work with me:
Initial Assessment Session
The first session is an opportunity for us to meet and see if we're a good therapeutic match. During this time, we'll discuss in more depth what brings you to counselling. You'll have the chance to ask any questions you have about the counselling process, and we'll explore how we might work together to address your needs. This session allows us both to get a feel for how we might work together and whether my approach aligns with what you're looking for. At the end of our time together, we'll decide mutually if we want to continue working together. This initial meeting is all about ensuring you feel comfortable and confident in taking the next steps on your therapeutic journey.
My Approach
As an integrative counsellor, I tailor my approach to your unique needs, recognising that there's no one-size-fits-all solution in therapy. Each person comes with their own experiences and challenges, so I adapt our sessions to what works best for you.
Flexibility is key. Together, we'll discover which approaches help you progress towards your goals. You're an active participant in this process - if something isn't working, we'll adjust our approach.
Integrative counselling looks at you as a whole person. We consider how various aspects of your life interact to shape your current situation, not just focusing on immediate problems.
My goal is to provide you with effective support to help you improve your mental health and well-being, using the diverse toolbox that integrative counselling offers.
Counselling for Children and Young People
When working with children and young people, my approach is centred on creating a safe, trusting environment where they feel heard and respected.
Our sessions are confidential, which means what we discuss stays between us. This confidentiality is crucial in building trust and allowing young people to express themselves freely. However, if I have serious concerns about safety, I may need to break this confidentiality. I always discuss this with the young person first if possible.
While the work is primarily with the child or young person, I recognise the important role parents and guardians play. With the young person's agreement, parents may be included in parts of the process. Any information shared with parents is discussed and agreed upon with the young person first. This approach maintains trust and respects the therapeutic relationship we're building.
If the young person is comfortable with it, we may have periodic review sessions that include parents or guardians. These can be helpful in supporting the young person's progress, but they always happen with the young person's consent.
For the first session, parents or guardians are welcome to join for the initial 5 minutes. During this time, we'll go through the counselling agreement, which I'll send prior to our meeting. This helps everyone understand how we'll work together and what to expect from our sessions.
In my work with children and young people, I often use creativity and play to enrich the therapeutic experience. Tools such as art, storytelling, toys, and sand play, create a safe space where young clients can express themselves freely. These methods not only foster engagement but also enhance self-exploration, helping to uncover feelings and thoughts that may be difficult to articulate. This playful approach supports deeper emotional connections and facilitates meaningful growth in therapy.
My goal is to create a supportive, empowering environment where young people can explore their thoughts and feelings, develop coping strategies, and work towards positive change in their lives.