AJ Counselling

About Alan

Who is Alan?

I am a qualified and experienced counsellor. My journey to this point in life has included marriage, children and a career in business. I have chosen to offer my counselling services because of the life experience I bring to my practice. I understand what it can be like to be confused and anxious about life's experiences.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Human Relations
Grad. Dip. Counselling
Cert. IV in Training and Assessment
AIS Level One Coach

About counselling

What can you expect from Counselling?

Counselling is a place where you can feel safe.

It is an opportunity to explore issues that are having an impact on your current quality of life. These may be early childhood experiences, recent relationship issues, depression, sadness, grief anxiety or any other issues that are preventing you from achieving a contented life. Through talking and sharing your experiences we aim to bring balance into your life.
When you enter counselling with me you can expect that I will apply all my knowledge and experience to work with you in the resolution of your concerns.
You can expect confidentiality and genuine respect from me. I am interested in you and will work with you to achieve your desired goal.

How does Counselling help?

Through sharing your thoughts, fears and issues in a safe, caring, environment you will discover solutions to problems that previously seemed unsolvable. I will use well tested and appropriate techniques to assist you in developing the solutions that you create. The counselling process helps to bring clarity to your thoughts and actions. It acts as a mirror for you to discover the happier and more contented you.

What will you do in Counselling?

You will be prepared to reveal as much or as little as you are ready to do.
You will be encouraged by me to use the safety of the counselling environment to explore those things you may have been avoiding but are at the core of your discontentment.
You will be prepared to make a commitment to work with me to the extent you are able to do.
In consultation with me you will determine the goal of our counselling and how much time you are prepared to devote to this goal.
You will experience yourself and grow!

What issues can be addressed

My practice covers issues such as:

Anxiety
Depression
Mid-life issues
Relationships
Family
Personal issues
General counselling

The way I work

I approach my counselling from a client-centred perspective. I am interested in questions like:

What is the meaning of my life?
How do I experience the world?

From this perspective I choose to use whatever specific counselling technique that is useful and appropriate to your situation. This may include methods such as:

Solution focused therapy
Cognitive therapy
Acceptance and commitment therapy
Narrative therapy

These are all talking therapies and place you as the most important component. During our time together you may not be aware of any specific technique I use but you can be assured it has been chosen for its proven effectiveness in the particular situation.

...because talking matters.

About coaching

Coaching is a similar process to counselling but it is more focused on specific outcomes. As your coach I will draw on my experience in competitive sport to build on your strengths and agree on plans to minimise your weaknesses. It is a proactive process that helps you to focus on the activities you want to do to achieve the most out of your life. Coaching acknowledges that you already have specific skills but that you want a qualified independent person to keep you on track.

About cost

Our first session together is cost free and obligation free. You need to be sure that I am the person who can help you. Choosing a counsellor or life coach is a very personal experience and you will know from our first session if I fit your expectation. Fees are based on a scale and this will be determined at the conclusion of our first session but you can expect to pay between $80 and $120 per session.