MY APPROACH AND PHILOSOPHY
My approach to therapy is a person-centered one. This is a non-judgmental way of working, where the Therapist creates the right conditions to help someone increase their self-awareness; to move towards - and reach - their fullest potential. I believe in each individuals potential to fully fulfill all aspects of self and being. My core belief is that we can change our experience of life by changing the way we think and act. I believe that the only true restrictions that we have in life are our beliefs in limitation. We can let them go and experience the abundance of love, joy, fulfillment, relationships and opportunities that are available to us all.
Limiting beliefs are often created in childhood and impactful life events and experiences and can serve to immerse us in patterns of being that block self-awareness, beliefs and approaches and subsequently opportunities and joy and fulfillment in life. All beliefs can be challenged and changed. All negative patterns can be changed and resolved. With knowledge, insight and support it is possible to live the life we choose. Together this journey can be life changing - revealing your unique potential and purpose and thus allowing you to live the life of your choice.
My overall approach is a holistic, integrative one that allows me to draw on a wide range of skills, training, tools and experience. I take time to consider all aspects of your life, including family history and background, overall physical health and emotional well-being, social experiences, career path, relationships and daily life experiences
One of my particular interests is that of the way in which our brain chemistry, hard wiring and sense of self develops, including all factors that may influence this. An example of this may be the exploration of your overall enjoyment of life and how this is currently reflected in your mood and daily experiences. My overall aim is to support you to reveal your unique potential and purpose and for you to live the life of your choosing and fulfillment. By bringing awareness to the illusion of limitation and through a therapeutic, nurturing and alongside approach, together we can change the direction that your life needs to follow.
As a therapist I strive to remain up to date with research and training and consider the role of therapist to be a highly privileged one. I hugely enjoy meeting and supporting those who approach me and I am proud of the consistently good outcomes and feedback I receive. I am always very happy to discuss any aspect of therapy with you and to answer any questions you may have, so please don't hesitate to contact me.
THERAPY APPROACHES
Therapy approaches offered include:
Behavioural; CBT; Cognitive; Analytical; Relationship dynamics; Family and systemic; Group dynamics; Humanistic; Integrative; Person centred; Mindfulness; Psychoanalysis; Psychosexual; Psychosynthesis; Solution focused; Transpersonal; Self Actualisation; Transitional and Spiritual guidance.
People come to me for help with a wide range of issues. I have worked within a range of organisations, including Health, Education and other areas, and private practice for over 40 years. I welcome individuals, couples, families, groups and organisations. My approach is very individual and I strive to offer a high level of support throughout the duration of the therapy.
COMMON ISSUES HELPED BY THERAPY
Feelings of stress or anxiety
Panic attacks
Relationship problems
Grief, loss or bereavement
Problems with addiction
Trauma and post-traumatic stress
Abuse
Life stages and transitions
Childhood trauma
CEN - Childhood emotional neglect
Family based conflict
Eating disorders
Self harming
Bereavement
Spiritual preparation for the end of life
Depression
Problems with confidence or self-esteem
Anger management
Issues relating to sexuality
Difficulties at work or in retirement
Problems with family or school life
Hormonal difficulties and transitions
Career direction and development
Exploring personality type and tendencies
Levels of joy and happiness in life
Self - Actualisation and self expression
Life choices - living a physically healthy life
Eating disorders
Illness and long term challenges
Parenting approaches
TESTIMONIALS
"Over the decades, from time to time, I have needed to work with a therapist. I can honestly say, having worked with a few therapists that Bernice is in a class of her own. She has deep experience, profound insight, and incredible breadth of knowledge and is a highly actualised human being.
Bernice always conducts sessions with immense skill and wisdom, and is quite simply superb at what she does. I have worked with her over the last few years on and off and she has supported me through some of the deepest personal evolution I have achieved.
I have also recommended her to various friends and family members. They all, without exception, cannot speak highly enough of Bernice, her practice and her insight. I recommend her without hesitation."
"Bernice has turned my life around. She has helped me identify and deal with significant challenge in life and shone a spotlight on the early childhood attachment patterns I experienced that reveal my vulnerability to situations that pose specific triggers and traumatic responses.
Her insistence that joy lies ahead once I can release myself from past patterns and triggers has kept me going through difficult times and, for all my doubts that I’d ever reach that point, proved to be wonderfully true. I have no words to thank her enough."
"I first started seeing Bernice two years ago when there was a lot of uncertainty in my life and I needed the chaos in my head to make sense and give my life some direction.
My sessions with Bernice have certainly helped me do that and so much more. I have come to see patterns in my behaviour starting from childhood, thoughts I hadn’t realised enforced these habits – and experiences that shaped the core beliefs I see the world through.
Each session has taken into consideration what works for me specifically – writing letters, keeping lists, reading evidence-based research into psychology. All the work we have done together has led me to become kinder to myself, to see all the uniqueness that makes me who I am, and ultimately leading a life that is more authentically me.
I have become a lot better at communicating my needs and all my relationships have become more fulfilled. Through all this time as I have become more independent, I have been offered options to either stop therapy altogether or to reduce the frequency of sessions and it has been purely my choice to continue since I believe there are huge benefits to therapy even when we feel happy and in control.
I look forward to each hour-long session and am filled with joy afterwards even if they frequently involve asking myself difficult questions. When any of my friends or family consider therapy – whether it is their first time or not, or, - if someone needs a bit of help but have become wary after visiting lots of other therapists who just didn’t work for them (as I was before I met Bernice) I am always happy to recommend Bernice to them."
"I have been very lucky to be supported by Bernice for over 15 years and cannot praise and recommend her highly enough. She has always been very intuitive, kind, gentle, calm, knowledgeable and supportive and has always known exactly when and how much to ‘gently nudge me’ to go deeper in my healing when I was ready to.
There were periods when I had to take time out but she would always warmly welcome me back which meant a lot to me. Bernice has changed my life and I will always be very grateful for finding her approach to therapy.
She has also been invaluable in helping and supporting my partner and I in couples therapy."
"I have been having sessions with Bernice for around 7 years now. Walking through the door for the first time felt daunting and I only did it because I had reached crisis point. What happened over the coming months was profound.
With Bernice’s expert help, and a decent amount of courage, I was able to see perspectives and solutions in a way that felt, and still feels, magical. Bernice supported me to see that my lowest ebb was in fact the foundation of a new beginning.
Without exaggeration my interactions with Bernice have been life affirming and life changing. I can’t say thank you to her enough. I now see Bernice when I have something to smooth out, it’s like going for a massage – I always walk out with a little more spring in my step!"
"Bernice has an amazing depth of knowledge across so many aspects of life including raising happy children, relationships and spirituality. She is warm and non-judgemental and has helped my partner and I on so many levels."
CONTACT ME
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about how Therapy works, or to arrange an initial session. This enables us to discuss the reasons you are thinking of coming to Therapy, whether it could be helpful for you and whether I am the right therapist to help.
I am happy to discuss any queries or questions you may have.
All enquires are usually answered within 24 hours, and all contact is strictly confidential and uses secure phone and email services. Find out more by reading my Privacy Policy.
©2021 Bernice Birleson
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