Psychotherapist in Sussex. Solution-focus and UKCP-registered.

PSYCHOTHERAPY PRACTICE

Simon Crosby, Hindleap Corner, Priory Road, Forest Row, East Sussex, England RH18 5JF. Telephone 0134 282 4545

Some psychotherapies focus mainly on the things that have gone wrong in life, the bad things. I encourage people to deal with those, but I also include some focus on clients' best qualities - those strengths which are a natural basis for a fuller life beyond any current difficulties. My work identifies and builds on clients' positive qualities whilst encouraging the development of new ways to manage life better. Treatment is much more than fixing what is wrong, it is also about finding how to live a satisfying and benevolent life.

SUMMARY

I am a solution-focused therapist working in a Sussex practice begun over fifteen years ago. This explanation of my psychotherapy practice is mostly in a question-and-answer format. A reading list is included.

I am a UKCP-registered psychotherapist. All prospective clients are offered a free orientation session to ask further questions and to describe what they want to work on in psychotherapy. Below you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about psychotherapy and counselling, and what is useful to work on in terms of personal growth. At the end of the document you will find a list of conditions treated.

Here is a list of the questions.

I've heard about counselling, but what is psychotherapy?
What is the difference between counselling and psychotherapy?
How does psychotherapy work?
Does psychotherapy uncover issues that can't be fixed?
Who is counselling and psychotherapy for?
There are so many therapists, how do I choose?
Is there anything that makes your work unusual?
What if the thought of therapy worries me?
What is your professional status and training?
Is there a difference with a male or a female therapist?
What sort of changes occur in therapy?

When is a good time to deal with problems?
What is the UKCP?
What are your clients mostly working on?
Would what I say be kept confidential?
Do you see people from other cultures?
What kind of therapy do you offer?
What does therapy cost?
How does the therapy process start?
How long does therapy take to work?
What's the next step?

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

What is the UKCP?

UKCP stands for The United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy. It is the nearest thing we have to the BMA (in England). Like the BMA the UKCP lists people qualified to practise; they will strike off unprofessional practitioners about whom complaints are upheld.

I've heard about counselling, but what is psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy is a talking process in which a therapist uses his or her understanding of psychology and interpersonal dynamics to enable people to move on from troublesome aspects of their inner and outer lives. Psychotherapy uses analysis, interpretation, and suggestion in such a way that clients can achieve enhanced personal effectiveness - personal growth.

What is the difference between counselling and psychotherapy?

Actually they overlap so there is no clear difference. However, counselling mainly helps people to hear themselves. By caring, listening and prompting, a counsellor enables clients to gain a clearer understanding of their situation. Counselling mostly revolves around a single problem - like bereavement or an illness.

Psychotherapy usually deals with a cluster of issues. The counselling mode is often used in phases of psychotherapy work, but psychotherapy really goes a bit deeper. It takes fuller account of the past in explaining and changing unwanted behaviour, and in changing negative thinking. But, aside from the past, psychotherapy is very much to do with expanding possibilities, finding here-and-now solutions, and with making whatever alterations are necessary for a more effective and satisfying life - personal growth again.

How does psychotherapy work?

There are many views on this. Mine is that psychotherapy is not like going to the doctor - to get cured. Psychotherapy with me is more to do with finding out how to manage the past and reduce its power in your present life. The scars and influence of past experience cannot be removed but we can make all of that less relevant in the here-and-now. That is done by gradually separating out who you really are - aside from all your conditioning - by creating a boundary between your past and your present. There are some indications about that on the page about Advaita in Psychotherapy. I see my psychotherapy as working to illuminate and expand people's possibilities.

Does psychotherapy uncover issues that can't be fixed?

Not usually. However, being a one-to-one process it cannot create the kind of context that that is found in groups. I suggest to some clients that they round off therapy by taking a large-group awareness training, such as the Forum, the link will tell you why.

Who is counselling and psychotherapy for?

Most people can benefit - after all, no one goes through life without some emotional or psychological predicament. If there is something that regularly interferes with the proper enjoyment of your personal, social or work life, or if you feel you have some psychological difficulty, then therapy would probably be fruitful. It is also appropriate to consult a psychotherapist simply to have your life be more as you want it.

There are so many therapists, how do I choose?

The UKCP was formed to help with this problem so their list, which is geographic, makes the choosing much easier. Ask how long the person you are considering has been working as a full-time therapist - the longer the better [surprisingly few therapists work at it full time]. Having made your shortlist then ask for an initial interview so you can see if you are likely to get on with the person.

Is there anything that makes your work unusual?

Yes, I am one of a small but growing number of therapists using a constructivist psychology orientation. I also use ideas culled from the Advaita tradition which I see as making my psychotherapy as complete as possible. My work is aligned with Positive Psychology currently being developed by Dr. Martin Seligman at the University of Pennsylvania - see reading list.

What are your clients mostly working on?

There is a list at the end of this document. Most people I see want to resolve relationship difficulties. Others are working on things like anxiety, obsessions, low self-esteem, eating disorders, sexual worries, problems with children, and so on.

What if the thought of therapy worries me?

That is quite usual. But people generally find counselling and psychotherapy a positive experience. Some aspects may be challenging, but meeting challenges usually makes people feel better. Seeing a therapist does not mean that a person is weak, stupid, inferior, bad or crazy - but people often use such imaginations to put off getting into therapy.

Would what I say be kept confidential?

Yes, unless something arises which has a medical or legal bearing. Also, just like doctors, I do discuss some cases with professional colleagues, but always in the context of work.

Do you see people from other cultures?

Yes, and my clients have come from many cultures. In a sense, everyone I see is from a culture different from mine - after all they grew up in a different family in a different town. Anglo-Saxon people, no less than others, have cultures that differ widely. It is part of my job to be fully aware of clients' cultures and what they mean to them. Everyone is welcome whatever cultural background, religion, age, sex, race, or situation. We share a common humanity.

What kind of therapy do you offer?

I work in a solution-focused way. I see people as clients inhabiting unique personal worlds - not as patients with standard diseases for which there are standard treatments. I use a synthesis of processes that I have found effective (see Advaita in Psychotherapy and Constructivist Psychology). That means I can tailor my work to individuals' needs, and I do not have to follow one orientation to the exclusion of others. I align my work with what clients want to achieve. I suggest between-session tasks to optimise work done jointly with clients. Work on these assignments reduces the time spent in therapy, and therefore the cost as well.

What does therapy cost?

Effective, well-established psychotherapy is rarely on offer cheaply. My charges reflect that, even though I restrict the number of people I see [so as to protect the quality of my work]. To find out about current charges, please telephone 0134 282 4545, or write to the address at the top of the page.

What is your professional status and training?

I am a psychotherapist registered with the UKCP - that means you don't have to ask about qualifications and wonder what all the letters mean because all practitioners on the UKCP register are properly qualified to practise psychotherapy [for the meaning of UKCP, see the first question].

As to my training, I have a University of London B.Sc. for which I studied Psychology and Philosophy [amongst other subjects]. Additionally, having completed a course in the Dynamic Psychology of Counselling, I have a Certificate in Counselling from the Lincoln Clinic. I have had a four year training in Personal Construct Psychology.

Is there a difference with a male or a female therapist?

Not unless a client feels fearful or untrusting. However, eventually it may be very useful for people to work with a therapist of whichever sex may be problematic now.

What sort of changes occur in therapy?

Apart from progress with specific issues, important gains are to be had in insight and self-knowledge. These provide favourable conditions for shifts towards positive patterns of behaviour; viewing issues differently; becoming calm and peaceful; having improved quality of relationships; becoming generally more effective; and finding life more meaningful and fulfilling. Many clients find that their range of possibilities expands, especially as they encounter the aspects of my work that have to do with the development of strengths and qualities.

When is a good time to deal with problems?

If you have a difficulty like one of those mentioned below then counselling or psychotherapy should lead to resolving it. If you've lived with it for a while and it hasn't got better, then now could be a good time to get to grips with it.

How does the therapy process start?

It begins with a free orientation session which enables you to see if I am the sort of person you would be happy working with. In the free session we would also explore your problems and needs, and deal with your questions about the therapy process. Sometimes people are not quite sure what sort of therapy is appropriate - counselling or psychotherapy - that can also be discussed.

How long does therapy take to work?

Not easy to answer. Some people find that a few sessions make a real difference - just by gaining some new perspective about a problem. But most people find it more productive to be in therapy for quite a few months of weekly sessions - that is more the psychotherapy mode. However, it is seldom that I find myself conducting long-term therapy.

What's the next step?

If you live in or near Sussex, or can travel there, and you want to explore the idea of therapy further please telephone 0134 282 4545 to arrange a free orientation session.

Counselling and psychotherapy can help with:

relationship issues
work difficulties
feeling a victim
sexual problems
family problems
eating disorders
feeling stressed
separation and loss
phobias
depression
envy and jealousy
feeling confused
guilt feelings
psychosomatic conditions

difficulties with decisions
emotional and sexual abuse
post-trauma disturbance
anger management
fertility issues
step-parents' problems
anxiety and worry
panic attacks
being over-critical
difficulties with children
personal integrity issues
being over-controlling
problems of those adopted
crisis management

Regrettably, problems with alcohol and drug addictions need specialist treatment beyond my skills, as does schizophrenia, paranoia, dementia, manic depression and psychoses generally. However, in some cases I am able to offer psychotherapy back-up to specialist treatments, this amounts to providing a routine by which to manage matters in the present and to take advantage of opportunities in the future.