Alison Thorpe

My core training (2012-2016) was in the person-centred approach of Carl Rogers. My priority is to provide you with a safe space where you are met with kindness and welcomed in all aspects of yourself and your life situation and not be judged. I work in an 'experiential' way, and this is tailored specifically to you rather than being a one-size-fits-all. Before I trained as a counsellor, I already had training in 'Focusing'. (www.focusing.org.uk) Focusing is a very gentle way of being with how an issue feels within us. It can be a bodily sense - for example a tightness in the chest or anxiety in our middle - and it can be surprising that we are able to feel where our issue is located. Just making contact with ourselves in this way with what is really important for us is a helpful step - people are often surprised that this feels hopeful in itself, especially with issues or feelings that have felt impossible to change. I encourage my clients to see what comes when they slow down a little and see how the issue is for them right now. People regularly get an image or a metaphor or a gesture or movement that shows their problem, or what they are longing for. Memories can come to mind that are helpful - often what we are experiencing currently links with something in the past that has been unresolved. I can help you to slow down and access this helpful way of working. Focusing can be particularly useful when we're not sure what we’re feeling or why; when we experience difficult emotional states; with internal (or external) conflict, indecision, procrastination or self-sabotage. It can also aid creativity and bring a feeling of resourcefulness. I work in a very similar way - with parts of self - to Dick Schwartz's "Internal Family Systems". This includes working with childhood and other wounded or burdened parts of us (this can be called ‘inner child’ work). I am experienced in helping people work with childhood trauma and where you are safe throughout. Some client like to use art materials or objects as part of therapy sessions, to tap into the unconscious or to represent issues and feelings. You are welcome to have an introductory session with me, or initial chat over Zoom or phone, to explore what might be most helpful for you. As well as counselling, you can come and experience a guided focusing session, or we can work in a coaching way, eg with a particular outcome or resolve particular issues. I am currently training to be a Clean Language facilitator and coach (https://www.cleanchange.co.uk, www.cleanlanguage.com).

Over the 10 years I've been a counsellor, clients have given me consistent feedback that they've felt understood, cared about and were able to share things with me that had felt difficult before. I work experientially and somatically and my personal experience as well as my work with clients is testimony to the fact that this can get to the the heart of what you're dealing with and offer you new ways forward, whether that is understanding yourself better, taming your inner critic or finding ways out of depression and anxiety that might be thwarting or crushing your life. I deeply understand that so many people feel some, or a lot of, shame with what they're going through because they cannot manage it themselves. Somehow we are not good enough, we've failed, we're putting on a good front or mask. And maybe you're not managing at all right now. The times we live in and the way the world is now along with fears about the future are also very stressful for many on an existential level. I've been counselling people since 2014 and supported people with focusing for 13 years.