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Dimitri Raftopoulos
Counselling and Life Coaching
I have a Bsc Honours in psychology from the University of London. I have worked for the last two years in two GP practises seeing clients with various issues. I am also a member of the Special Group in Coaching Psychology of the BPS.
Psychotherapy and counselling is about:
- being understood in a supportive, non-judgemental and confidential relationship in which to explore and gain a deeper understanding of yourself and others
- an opportunity to make sense of your life experience and consider how you respond to the present and prepare for the future
- helping you to find your own way of living in a more satisfying and resourceful way
I work with a range of problems including:
- low self esteem
- work or family related issues
- depression
- panic attacks, stress and anxiety
- bereavement and loss
- sexual and other identity issues
- childhood trauma and abuse
- sexual, physical and emotional abuse
- compulsive behaviour
- difficulties with relationships
- eating disorders
The aim of counselling and psychotherapy
The aim of therapy is to increase awareness, discover choices and develop skills for changes that feel right for you. Sometimes we feel stuck with an issue and might wish to reflect on our lives from a new perspective. Sometimes a stressful situation or traumatic event leaves us feeling vulnerable and unable to cope.
You may want to work on a current life event, or something that has been troubling you for some time. Seeing a therapist means talking with someone in a confidential, reflective and caring space. This helps you explore issues and understand your situation and emotions more fully and with greater clarity leading to new insights and a sense of empowerment and control.
Better understanding promotes self-esteem, confidence and an improved quality of life.
Counselling or Psychotherapy
Although the term therapist´ is used to include counsellors and psychotherapists you may be wondering about the difference between them. There is overlap between the two and similar skills are used in both approaches.
Both are enriching and help you to cope with problems in a more effective way.
counselling can be short term (weeks or months), often focussing on a specific problem
Psychotherapy involves a more in-depth exploration of your life experiences in order to make sense of your present life circumstances. It also involves understanding underlying patterns and how they influence current relationships. A longer period of reflection is required to work through this process
The first session
The first session is an opportunity for us to meet and discuss what has brought you to therapy.
The initial session is a mutual assessment and you do not commit yourself to further sessions by making this initial appointment.
If we decide to continue to work together we can discuss a therapeutic contact which best suits your needs and then begin to talk about the reason you came to therapy.
Fees
A fee is decided on or after the initial consultation. The initial fee is £40 and the session lasts 50 minutes.
Life coaching
Feeling stuck in life is not a nice feeling. Having potential and not being able to tap into it can be very frustrating. Settling for second best is a form of basically giving up on getting what you really want. This then leads to low self esteem. Getting back on track and feeing you can achieve what you set out to do is how life coaching can help you. If you are prepared to work hard and understand what is holding you back then you then you are on the right track. You will set the goals with your coach, who will help you to stay on track. Your coach will also help you understand how and why you loose track of your goals.
Achieving goals is a very empowering experience, and it starts with the small goals. Having a supportive life coach helps you focus your thought on positive outcomes. It is amazing how much power our thoughts have and how they create our worlds. How would feel if just for one week you allowed yourself to feel that you are the creator of everything in your life. It does give life a whole new perspective. Life coaching helps you take control of your thoughts and consequently your life. Its gives you back your power and brings you into contact with your own potential. It can connect you to your creativity, which is the source of achieving all the things you want in life.
A contract will be agreed to with your coach depending on your needs. A contract can range for 1 session to 6 months. Sessions are usually 45 minutes long and charged at 75 pounds. Fees are negotiable depending on the type and length of the contact. Payment can also be made monthly. Executive coaching is also available to business executives who need to improve their leadership and management skills. Social skills in business are very important and usually distinguish one top executive from another. Executive coaching can also help get the life-work balance right.
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