How Counselling Can Help

Life is not a destination to be reached, but rather a journey filled with experiences, challenges, and discoveries. Along the way, we may encounter obstacles that hinder our progress and disrupt our path forward.

People respond to these obstacles in different ways:

Others choose to avoid or ignore the issue.
Some may deny its existence entirely.
There are those who are unaware of the obstacle and need help recognizing it.
Others attempt to reorganize or manage the issue in a way that feels more tolerable.
And for some, the obstacle represents a barrier that must be removed in order to continue their journey.

Confronting, managing, or accepting these obstacles can be a difficult and emotionally demanding process. It’s not uncommon to feel isolated in these struggles, or to hesitate in opening up to loved ones out of fear of judgment or misunderstanding. Yet, in facing these challenges, there lies the potential for growth and transformation.

Therapy offers a supportive space to explore and understand these painful feelings. It can bring clarity and empower you to address your challenges directly. Through this process, you can develop tools to navigate any obstacles, strengthen your resilience, and move toward a more fulfilling life.

Wherever you are on your journey, and however you choose to approach your challenges, I am here to walk alongside you — offering support, encouragement, and guidance as you work toward the future you envision.

"You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take one step at a time."

Martin Luther King Jr

Examples of Obstacles

Negative Cycles

Negative thoughts are unhelpful thinking patterns that can contribute to a cycle of self-doubt, anxiety, and low mood. Over time, they can significantly impact how we see ourselves, others, and the world around us, often leading to emotional distress and everyday challenges.

Therapy offers a supportive and confidential space to explore the underlying causes of these thought patterns. Together, we can begin to understand where they come from, how they influence your behaviour and emotions, and what practical steps you can take to challenge and change them. Through this process, you can gain greater self-awareness, develop healthier ways of thinking, and begin to feel more in control of your life.

Inner Conflict

Inner conflict often stems from the tension between what we truly want and what we feel we must do. This internal struggle can lead to feelings of frustration, confusion, and a sense of being unfulfilled.

These conflicts are frequently rooted in past experiences, shaping how we view ourselves, others, and the choices available to us. Over time, they can manifest as anger, fear, self-doubt, or emotional disconnection.

Therapy provides a supportive and non-judgmental space to explore these inner tensions. By gaining insight into the origins of your conflict and understanding its impact on yourself and those around you, you can start to move toward greater clarity, self-acceptance, and a more fulfilling life.

Core Beliefs

Core beliefs are deeply held, often unconscious ideas that influence how we perceive ourselves, others, and the world around us. They can become deeply ingrained and, over time, shape our behaviour and negatively impact our emotional well-being and self-worth.

Common examples of unhelpful core beliefs include:

“I’m a failure.”
“I’m not good enough.
I'm unlovable.

Therapy offers a supportive environment to explore, understand, and begin to shift these core beliefs. By increasing self-awareness and developing healthier, more balanced perspectives, you can start to let go of what no longer serves you — and move toward a more compassionate and empowered sense of self.

Guilt and Shame

Guilt and shame are powerful, often invisible emotions that can deeply impact how we see ourselves and experience the world.

Left unaddressed, they can lead to emotional distress, feelings of fear, isolation, or being stuck — and may contribute to the development of anxiety, depression, or even physical symptoms.

Therapy provides a safe and supportive space to explore these emotions with compassion and curiosity. Together, we can begin to understand where these feelings originate, how they are affecting your life, and how to gently release their hold. Through this process, you can begin to rebuild a more compassionate and balanced view of yourself, and move toward greater emotional freedom and well-being.

Yvonne Dryburgh