Relationships

A couple’s relationship can be a wonderful and enriching arena for two individuals to discover and share each other’s uniqueness – leading to opportunities for a satisfying life together – that supports them through the inevitable challenges that arise.  Sometimes however, difficulties may occur  - there may be a refusal to acknowledge that there is a problem, communication may break down resulting in placing the blame on each other.  Counselling may help explore and look at the options and acceptance of responsibility.

Depression

Depression is a condition that saps our energy – we lack motivation.  It can affect our thoughts, feelings and behaviour, we loose interest and everything may appear pointless and hopeless.  We may experience anger or resentment, anxiety, shame or guilt.  These may be the result of a single problem or our learned way of thinking.  Counselling is an effective way of dealing with mild to moderate levels of this disorder.

Bereavement and Loss

The death of a spouse or partner can lead to painful grief.  A number of losses may be involved apart from the physical absence of the loved one – the loss of a relationship, companion, lover, the parent of ones children, friend, soul mate, loss of a dream and a future together. Each person grieves in his or her own personal way.  Women often tend to be loss oriented and connected with their feelings. Men on the other hand can feel the loss deeply and may not be encouraged to express their feelings and may need the opportunity to express their needs.

Stress Debriefing

The shock of a critical incident such as an accident, an attack, abuse, sudden death or any event out of the ordinary may cause unpredictable side affects ranging from nightmares, panic attacks, memory-loss, flashbacks and hyper arousal.  Stress Debriefing can help survivors to articulate what has happened, to understand it and thereby regain control.  Not only those directly involved in an accident, i.e. victim or survivor may suffer from the affects of trauma.  It can also affect those indirectly involved, i.e. witnesses, neighbours, families and work colleagues and those who help in emergency situations.  All these people have the potential to be traumatised to a greater or lesser degree.

Self-Esteem

How we feel about ourselves affects every aspect of our lives, how we function in relationships, at work and how we react to everyday life.  Who and what we think we are shape everything we do.  Self-esteem is our feeling of self-worth, self-respect and self-confidence – all of which affects how we cope with life.  To have low self-esteem means that we may feel not only wrong about what we do but also wrong as a person.  High self-esteem means that we appreciate ourselves and our personal worth, value ourselves, develop a positive attitude, and see ourselves as competent, in control of our lives and able to do what we want.

Men’s Issues

Few things in life are as different in life as men and women – not only physically and emotionally but they have different values and ways of coping with life’s challenges.  As expectations and norms change men can become confused about their role in relationships, decision-making and other issues that can lead to situations of anxiety, anger, loneliness, guilt and isolation.

Personal Development

We may sometimes feel confused about making decisions, about the best course of action to take that will affect our future, our career, our relationships and our general happiness and peace of mind.  We may benefit from that opportunity of looking at our options and get a clearer view of the best course of action that will afford us more control of our future.

Sexual Addiction

For all addicts the moment comes when they realise they have a problem and want to do something about it.  They may wrestle with the strong thrilling impulses that draw them and the desire to get out in order to survive to a more calmer ordered world.  The obsession they have does not mean that they are bad or perverted or hopeless – it may mean that they have a disease from which they may be healed.