My Approach to Therapy

At Roles We Play Counselling, my approach to therapy is grounded in creating a safe, supportive space for you to explore your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. I use a blend of different therapeutic methods, each designed to help you understand yourself better, make positive changes, and navigate life’s challenges with more confidence and clarity.

Whether you’re seeking therapy for anxiety, stress, relationship difficulties, or personal growth, the methods I use are tailored to your individual needs, I work collaboratively with you, respecting your pace and your unique experience. Below are the approaches I use in therapy and how they can help you.

Transactional Analysis (TA)

What It Is: Transactional Analysis (TA) is a powerful tool for understanding the patterns of communication and behaviour we engage in throughout life. It focuses on three primary aspects of the self: Parent, Adult, and Child. By exploring these roles, we can better understand the dynamics of our interactions and how these patterns affect our relationships, work, and overall well-being.

Life Scripts are also a key concept within TA. These are unconscious life plans that are shaped by our early experiences and the messages we receive from caregivers, society, and the people around us. Life scripts influence our decisions, behaviours, and how we relate to others throughout our lives. Often, we’re not aware of the script we’re following, but it can have a powerful impact on the choices we make as adults.

How It Can Help:

• Understand unhealthy patterns of behaviour and communication, especially in relationships.

• Explore life scripts to understand how early experiences shape your beliefs and choices in adulthood.

• Identify and challenge unhelpful scripts that may be holding you back, allowing you to make more conscious, empowered decisions moving forward.

• Create more balanced, authentic interactions by strengthening your Adult self, which allows you to think more logically and respond more effectively to challenging situations.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

What It Is: CBT is a goal-oriented, structured approach to therapy that helps you identify and challenge negative thinking patterns. By changing how you think, you can change how you feel and what you do. CBT is particularly effective for conditions like anxiety, depression, and stress.

How It Can Help:

• Challenge negative thought patterns that lead to feelings of anxiety, stress, or depression.

• Develop practical coping strategies for managing difficult emotions and situations.

• Build self-confidence by replacing self-defeating thoughts with more balanced and realistic thinking.

Positive Psychotherapy

What It Is: Positive Psychotherapy focuses on building resilience, enhancing your emotional well-being, and increasing your overall life satisfaction. Instead of focusing primarily on problems or challenges, we focus on your strengths, values, and what brings you joy and fulfilment in life.

How It Can Help:

• Develop a positive mindset, which can help you cope with life’s ups and downs.

• Increase your sense of purpose and find meaning in your everyday activities.

• Enhance emotional well-being by building on your strengths and fostering gratitude, joy, and optimism.

Person-Centred Therapy

What It Is: Person-Centred Therapy (PCT) is based on the belief that we all have the inner resources to make positive changes. This approach is non-directive, meaning I listen to you with empathy and without judgement, allowing you to explore your thoughts and feelings at your own pace. My role is to provide a genuine, accepting environment where you can feel free to be yourself.

How It Can Help:

• Promote self-acceptance and a deeper connection to your emotions and experiences.

• Facilitate personal growth by helping you recognize your own potential to change.

• Strengthen emotional resilience by focusing on your strengths rather than problems.

Why I Use These Approaches

I believe each of these methods offers unique tools to help you grow, heal, and navigate life’s challenges. In therapy, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. I integrate these methods to create a personalized plan that works for you, offering practical tools for emotional regulation, improved relationships, and lasting change.

Together, we will work to discover the approaches that resonate most with you and empower you to live the life you want.

How We’ll Work Together

Our work together will be collaborative. I’ll be here to guide, support, and challenge you, but ultimately you are in control of your therapy journey. We’ll move at your pace and explore what works for you.