What is counselling and when do people need it
If you are unsure about counselling and whether it is only something that people with mental problems need, rest assured that each and every one of us can find ourselves feeling overwhelmed or in a bad place mentally at some point in our lives. Some try to find their own way forward and others choose to have help.
Remember that your emotional and mental wellbeing is as important as your physical health, and worth taking seriously.
To see a counsellor does not mean there is something wrong with you
Experiencing emotional turmoil or feeling overwhelmed, depressed or anxious is not a flaw, but a culmination of your past experiences and your current situation. A counsellor is someone trained in helping people move from a dark place to a better place in their lives.
Counselling is not about giving advice or telling you what to do to ‘fix’ your life. Rather, it helps you to identify the root cause of what you are experiencing and help you work through it. Counselling also aims to help you realise the resources within you so you can move into your own better space, equipping you for when the not-so-good times hit you.
Contact Jennette to discuss your counselling requirements
A tuning fork does not sing for you – it is there to help you find the note
Counselling services for individuals
Jeannette Keukelaar provides 1-1 counselling services for individuals across a wide spectrum of areas, including grief and trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression and stress related issues.
As well as a qualified counsellor, Jeannette has completed a Diploma in Psychosynthesis Counselling, which is a holistic form of psychology.
What is psychosynthesis?
The practice of psychosynthesis is based on the idea that every person only uses a small part of their potential and that we are all capable of leading fulfilling lives.
In order to uncover a person’s inner wisdom, psychosynthesis counselling will focus on the exploration of feelings, thoughts, sensations and spirit in order to uncover any internal conflicts and blocks. By working through these challenges, you can rediscover inner resources and strengths, which will help to aid personal growth and development.
Couples counselling and Imago relationship therapy
Relationship counselling is a specialist area of counselling that differs greatly from individual counselling or therapy. Jeannette Keukelaar has trained under the Imago Relationship methodology, which provides a specific set of techniques for working with couples who:
- Are experiencing difficulties and want to resolve their conflicts
- Are just beginning a relationship
- Are considering separation but want to find out if they can work things out
- Want to enrich their relationship
- Are struggling to cope after a difficult event/loss/change for one or both partners
Imago relationship therapy is not all about rescuing a failing marriage. Imago is a highly regarded form of therapy for people wanting to work on strengthening their relationships, open up better channels of communication with their partner and achieve a deeper level of intimacy. It provides insight to greater empathy, communication and understanding of yourself and others.
The skills learned can also be applied to all areas of your life, to help strengthen your relationships with family, friends and work colleagues.
Relationship workshops – upcoming dates
Whether your relationship is fairly new or you have been together for many years, relationship workshops are a great way to build good communication and achieve a deeper level of intimacy with your partner.
The Centre for Self Empowerment in Whangarei runs regular workshops for couples wanting to strengthen and enrich their relationship. Under the guidance of registered NZAC Counsellor and Imago Relationship Therapist Jeannette Keukelaar, couples will be given the opportunity to learn practical skills and new understanding for a long-term successful relationship including how to:
- Communicate feelings without laying blame
- Break destructive patterns of relating
- Renew passion, pleasure and fun
- Develop greater compassion for each other
- Make sense of the impact of your childhood experience on your adult relationship
- Understand how the unconscious forces that attracted you to your partner can become a source of conflict
- Facilitate healing within your relationship
- Model a strong, loving relationship for your children
- Turn your relationship into a vehicle for personal change and spiritual growth
New Workshop dates for 2017 coming soon! Register your interest here to receive information and dates for the Centre for Self Empowerment Relationship Workshops