Generally, I describe the way I work as Collaborative, Integrative, Humanistic and Holistic. I draw on experience in Cognitive Behavioural, Narrative, Creative Visualisation, NLP and Ericksonian Hypnotherapy, Solution-Focused Therapy and Gestalt, and expressive and healing techniques, among others.
I offer effective methods to deal with emotional and behavioural problems or stress-related issues, either in business, or in your personal life. I work more from a paradigm of possibility, than from a paradigm of pathology. I work with clients to identify strengths, abilities, possibilities and the desired changes and outcomes. We build from there.
Areas of expertise include:
- Working with Fears, Anxieties and Phobias; Pain and Disability; Depression and Depressive feelings; Suicidal thoughts; Unresolved Earlier-life Issues; Relationship and Sexuality issues with both heterosexuals, and lesbians and gay men; Grief and Loss; Bereavement; Trauma.
- Improving Self-esteem and Confidence; Communication skills; Existential
issues; Transition and Life-Changes; Life-balance; Stress Management and
Relaxation.
- Working with a range of Behavioural problems, including Alcohol, Drug and other problematic Addictive relationships.
- Life Strategy Coaching: Realisation of professional and personal goals, including working with Writers, Artists and Composers. Coaching and Mentoring through Career Changes and Business Goals, Life Transitions, Study and Exams, and coaching to achieve the ‘Unrealised Dream’.
I work face-to-face, and via telephone consultation, for both individual therapy and coaching.
The approaches I use in Counselling and Psychotherapy work are specifically tailored to the individual’s needs and comfort levels.
They are very much based on what appeals to the client at the time, and what is effective for them at that particular time.
Therapeutic modalities vary greatly, from focusing primarily on
the mind and cognitive functioning, to looking at each individual more holistically,
as a spiritual, physical, emotional and energy field creation. I work holistically;
combining a range of therapeutic skills, but always working with the whole
person in their particular environment.
While there may be over 700 separate therapeutic modalities currently in use, studies of therapists show that relationship skills and personality style have a greater impact on the outcome of therapy than the type of modality or treatment provided.
And it seems to me, from my own therapy and professional experience, as well as from the research, that the vital factor in this work is the quality of the rapport and trust experienced within that therapeutic relationship.
The first session is always partly a mutual assessment to see if the client and I feel like we’re a good match and can work together.
And in the interests of a good relationship, part of our contract is that I want the client to tell me if I get something wrong, or misunderstand them in some way. And for my part, I undertake to tell the client how I see them going because, to keep the relationship healthy, like any good relationship, we need to monitor and check in with each other from time to time.
By working this way, we experience how we get to 'do' healthy relationship. Facilitating this collaborative therapeutic alliance, which then becomes a 'lived' model for other forms of relationship outside the therapy room, is fundamental to the work I do.
Number of sessions and fees
The therapeutic ‘hour’ generally lasts around 50-55 minutes.
Sometimes longer sessions may be negotiated. For example, I usually suggest an hour and a half, for at least the first session, with couples. My fees range from $90 to $120 per hour. I also maintain two spaces for clients with low incomes.
I offer a no-charge, initial interview, where you can come and talk through what ever it is that’s
bothering you, or holding you back. You should get from this some immediate
assistance and clarity—and a sense of whether counselling, psychotherapy or life strategy coaching would be helpful for you.
I am registered with, and part of, the Federal
Government Carers' Support Program. This program offers subsidised personal counselling sessions
for full or part-time Carers, as well as general information, support and
access to respite care.
Life Strategy Coaching requires dedicated work and focused commitment. With this level of engagement, ten to twelve sessions, or working over a period of three months, should give sufficient time to define, achieve and consolidate your changes. If you are already ready to move beyond your familiar comfort zone, you could achieve your goals much faster.
Counselling work may be for a contracted six-session term, or for only three or four sessions. Counselling is usually suitable for addressing recent or immediate issues. Sometimes, as with psychotherapy, where deeper problems may be addressed, the work can be a little longer, or it may be longer-term.
At some stage, clients ‘discontinue’, often when there’s been completion of the work originally brought to therapy. However, as with any established supportive relationship, the door is always open for further work, or if a client simply wants to review where they are in their current lives, at some future time.
My feeling, however, is that we don’t generally seek to stay in therapy all our lives but rather, we use the experience to gain tools and insights, and enough support and self-empowerment, to understand ourselves and become our own therapists in the future.
Contacts
- Mobile: 0414 669 924
- Email: morgana@oliver-ayers.com.au
- Web site: www.oliver-ayers.com.au