How Counselling Can Help

Counselling can help when we feel overwhelmed, stuck, anxious, or unable to move forward in life. It can also support us if we are dealing with the impact of trauma, stress, low mood, or long-standing emotional difficulties that feel hard to shift on our own.

We can often feel stuck in patterns that are difficult to break, whether that is anxiety, overthinking, emotional shutdown, or feeling constantly on edge. These responses can develop as ways of coping, even if they no longer feel helpful.

While it is important to understand what we are experiencing, I also believe counselling should not stop at talking alone. My aim is to help you make sense of what is happening for you, and begin to find ways to move forward.

In our work together, we would explore not only what is going on, but also what may be keeping it going and what might help it begin to shift. This may include developing new ways of responding, understanding emotional triggers, and building practical strategies that support you in daily life.

I offer a supportive space where you can talk freely, and I will also help you gently explore what is going on beneath the surface and what might help things begin to change. The focus is on understanding your experience while also finding a clearer way forward.

Wherever you are starting from, you don’t have to navigate it alone. I aim to offer support, clarity, and guidance as you work towards a more balanced and manageable way forward.

Yvonne Dryburgh, counsellor in Aberystwyth supporting counselling recovery

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

Martin Luther King Jr

Some of the things we may work on

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