Finding your way through the fog
Welcome. I’m Rob, a BACP registered existential psychotherapist. Based in York, I offer integrative humanistic counselling for those navigating life's complexities. Do you ever feel overwhelmed, stuck in a fog, unsure of where to even begin? Perhaps you're struggling to focus, or finding it difficult to know your next step. Life can throw us curveballs, leaving us feeling lost and disconnected.
Just trying to choose a therapist is exhausting, I know! With every choice comes loss, there are tidal waves of information out there and you want to get it right, for you. Well, good on you! Whether you are aware of it or not, the fact that you’re reading this means that your therapeutic journey has already begun. Something within you is calling for change and you are listening - that is no small thing. Regardless of whether or not we work together, I applaud you!
A space for exploration & healing
My approach is rooted in understanding your unique experience. Do you struggle to find your footing in relationships, or wonder where you truly stand? Have you experienced trauma and are seeking a safe space to heal and process? You may have suffered an immeasurable loss, leaving you searching for a way to grieve. Maybe you're struggling with depression or anxiety, perhaps compounded by factors like ADHD.
Perhaps aspects of adulthood have rendered life meaningless, or you feel a yearning to revisit and unpack your experiences of childhood. You might be haunted by recurring dreams or intrusive thoughts, or find yourself feeling unexpected emotions without knowing why. Conversely, you might even feel nothing at all, a sense of numbness that leaves you bewildered. Many people come to me when they're grappling with these very human experiences.
These feelings, while challenging, can also be powerful catalysts. I believe there's a profound way of turning moments of crisis into opportunities for growth, understanding, and a deeper connection with yourself and the world around you. Whatever you're facing, you need not face it alone. Together, we can work towards gaining clarity, finding meaning, honouring your experiences and developing a stronger sense of self in a friendly, safe, and non-judgmental environment.
Every therapeutic encounter is unique and so there can be no predicted outcomes, but what I will guarantee is this: should we decide to work together you will have my unwavering commitment to providing you a secure, encouraging and supportive space to sit with and explore whatever is going on for you. Lay your burden down, surrender to the ground a while.
It is paramount to me that you feel safe to allow yourself the courage to be vulnerable, as this is the birthplace of discovery, creativity, and change. I'm here to tune into your wavelength and help you listen to yourself, to begin to heal the parts of you that may have been shattered from traumatic experiences. You don't need fixing; instead, you need to get to know the parts of yourself that have been shunned or forgotten so you may become whole.
Working together as existential detectives
In our sessions, we'll become existential detectives. You are the expert on you; you hold all the clues and keys to unlocking the well of happiness that we all possess within ourselves. We’ll work together to map out and uncover your story, stepping into key moments and drilling down for meaning. We'll look for patterns that may have, until now, remained outside your awareness. Ultimately, it’s about removing the blocks that are hindering your life’s flow.
This might involve examining behaviours that once kept you safe but are no longer useful, or assumptions about yourself that you’ve always held but have gone unchallenged. I’ve always believed it's crucial to value people as unique individuals and encourage them to discover what makes them feel alive, rather than sleepwalking through life, governed by the internalised agendas of others. Be the author of your own life story, moment to moment. You are your choices. Choose you, you’re great!
What to expect
I offer an initial one-hour session free of charge, to meet in person or online to discuss what is going on for you, what you may wish to get out of therapy and how we might work together. It’s a chance to ask any questions you may have but mainly for you to get a sense of whether or not you feel that I have the kind of energy and presence that you would like alongside you. Rest assured, you are under zero obligation either way.
Should we choose to work together, counselling sessions are £50 per hour (student discount available). We can work together in person at my practice in the centre of York or online, whichever works for you. Most people prefer to meet on a weekly basis, although fortnightly is also an option. Lastly, we can decide to work together on a short-term (6-12 weeks) or long-term (3+ months) basis, depending on what you feel you might need. We will check in regularly over the course of our sessions to assess how we are getting on and can adapt our timeframe as necessary.
But hey, therapy begins in dialogue. Get in touch, it would be good to hear from you!
You’ve gotta feel it to heal it.
Rob - Hughes Humanistic Counselling
