Steve Clarke -   Psychotherapy

MSc, PGDip, FdSc, MBACP (Accredited)

Addiction

Alcohol abuse causes 3.3 million deaths per year.

 

Despite alcohol being accepted in many cultures, it is widely cited as contributing to high levels of death, disease and injury. This is due to alcohol being a psychoactive substance that can lead to physical dependency and psychological addiction.

 

When we drink alcohol, it can change the way we feel. For many people, this effect of drinking is harmless, but for some of us it can lead to dangerous consequences for our physical health and emotional wellbeing.

Alcohol is a powerful substance that has a depressant effect on the central nervous system. It can alter our brain chemistry and affects neurotransmitters that govern thought, emotion and behaviour. It can be highly addictive and as a result, many people become physically and psychologically dependent on alcohol.

 

If left untreated, full-blown alcoholism is a progressive illness that worsens over time and can cause enormous harm, both to the sufferer and to their loved ones.

 

 

Eating Disorders

According to research highlighted by the "National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders" (ANAD), Eating Disorders have the highest mortality rates of any mental illness.
Estimates suggest that between 5% and 10% of anorexics will die within 10 years of contracting the disease.

Eating disorders can affect people from a wide range of backgrounds and problems may start at a young age. Difficulties can stem from a fear of growing up. Others may experience trauma through social interactions or through sexual or physical abuse.

Once an eating disorder takes hold, it creates a perpetual cycle of anxiety and isolation.

It requires repeating behaviour to achieve the desired effect. This can involve the use of diet pills, binging, laxatives, excessive food intake and over-exercising.

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Mood Disorders

Individuals who suffer from depression can experience feelings of hopelessness or guilt and they may blame themselves for their predicament.

In reality, depression is a treatable illness that approximately one in five of us will experience at some point in our lives.  Symptoms may persist for many months or even years, and depression can affect the way a person thinks, and behaves.

 

A study by the World Health Organization estimated that over 320 million people are living with depression.

 

According to the "Anxiety and Depression Association of America" '...at any given moment, between 3% and 5% of the population are suffering from major depression.'

 

Depression can develop from a combination of factors that are physical, psychological, biochemical or genetic.

 

It can also be triggered by social factors and adverse life events such as bereavement, sexual or physical abuse, and severe stress.  However, depression can also develop and persist for long periods of time even when no apparent trigger is immediately obvious. It is therefore vital to seek professional help

Integrative Psychotherapy

Integrative psychotherapy relies upon the importance of the relationship between the therapist and client to enable mind, body, feeling, soul and spirit to come together as a whole.


Both the client and the psychotherapist are actively engaged in shaping the processes of assessing the client’s problems or issues, working out what will happen in therapy and evaluating the outcomes.


Integrative psychotherapists believe in their client’s ability to take responsibility for themselves and their choices, and their capacity to fulfil their talents.

 

The psychotherapist works with the client to realise these potentials..

Why Seek Therapy?

Everyone experiences periods of stress, sadness, grief and conflict.
When you’re feeling off, it can be hard to know if, and when, it’s time to see a professional about the problem.

 

Just like our physical health, our mental health deserves professional care.

If we have a physical symptom we generally seek help, so why would we not apply the same with an emotional problem?


Many people seek counselling because they have identified specific goals or issues that they wish to work on. Others may be encouraged by family, friends, or medical professionals to seek some support.

 

While one in five American adults suffer from some form of mental illness, only about 46-65 percent with moderate-to-severe impairment are in any for of treatment*

 

*Source - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

What Is Involved?

Firstly, it's important to get in touch, and to give as much information as is possible.

 

An initial 60 minute consultation and assessment is then completed, to jointly identify 'what has been going on', and to prioritise:

 

 

1 - Your goals, and;

2 - If I am the right therapist for you.

 

It's good to talk, and as such this early part is often an excellent cathartic release in itself.

 

From here, we look at an initial 4-6 sessions, so that we can see how we work together depending on the presenting problem.

We will then review as required.

 

We will meet for 60 minute sessions and I work with all major insurance providers.

Is it worth the cost?

Often I ask my clients 

 

"What has worked for you so far?"

 

And, if there is no evidence of previous "talking therapy" then I strongly recommend this approach.

 

In the US, as the Mental Health crisis grows, despite the cost, it’s clear that therapy is becoming not only a widely accepted part of everyday life, but also a common part of many households’ monthly budgets.

 

About one in 10 Americans report being depressed, with many more reporting symptoms of depression.

 

We all know that reaching out for help can be very daunting, mainly because of stigma and the popular belief that it is only for seriously ill people.

 

However, asking for help when things feel overwhelming, or when life becomes difficult, is a brave and admirable step to take.

 

 

                                                                                   Call me on 07523 905370 07523 905370 

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Steve Clarke Therapy