Gill Sampson (Psychotherapist UKCP Reg.)

I am an integrative psychotherapist, which is an approach which recognises that no single form of therapy is best, or even adequate in all situations for all clients and that each one of the many approaches to therapy has some value. I currently incorporate concepts and techniques from a variety of approaches into my work. My integrative approach combines the constructive, forward-looking methods of cognitive therapy, the respectful, non-judgemental approach of humanistic therapy, together with the depth of existential psychotherapy.

I draw on a wide choice of strategies, techniques and theories, in a way which coherently integrates aspects from different approaches in light of my professional training and experience. This means that I can offer flexibility and tailor the therapy in a way that is most appropriate for each individual client, depending on their particular needs and personality.

My approach is integrative, collaborative and active in focussing on the issues identified by the client.

My primary role as a therapist is to listen to you and to help you to articulate and explore situations and feelings in a non-judgemental way in a safe and confidential setting.

Therapy offers an opportunity for a different kind of relationship and a different level of communication where I am there for you throughout the session and can offer you an impartiality and focus which it may be difficult to find elsewhere.

I will be an active participant in the therapeutic relationship and see therapy as a collaborative enterprise where we work together as a team.

My belief however is that you are the expert about you and your life and you are the one who knows what's best for you.

My role is to facilitate you and support you through your journey of exploration and any changes you wish to make in your life. I will not be telling you how you should live your life and what to do. I am the catalyst, not the cure!

However, as you look at your feelings and decide what changes you wish to make, I will then be able to offer you support and guidance on your journey.

As a therapist, I have a pragmatic, jargon-free style which is thoughtful and respectful.

The normal format of a session is a conversation in which you are free to speak about whatever you wish in complete confidence in a safe, non-judgemental, unbiased, constructive setting.

I respond in a way which then leads us to explore more fully and deeply the issues you wish to focus on and look for patterns, insights and perspectives which may not have occurred to you when thinking about these things by yourself. I will help you to make more sense of your life.

We will work at a pace and depth which you dictate, but I will always encourage you to move forward and expand your 'comfort zones' when this is appropriate. Together we will seek to discover your hidden strengths. However I will also bring your attention to any areas which I feel you may be avoiding and we can explore these together when you feel ready.

My aim is to help you to let go of old, outmoded, unhelpful coping strategies which may be holding you back and are no longer relevant. In their place we will construct better tools and knowledge for moving forward and which are suitable for the authentic you in the here and now.

I may at times set you some 'homework' or suggest that you experiment with new behaviours or keep a track of your thoughts or feelings between our sessions. Whether you wish to do this is up to you however.

Much will depend on the issues you bring, the goals we set and the way we work together.

Ultimately, as you take more control of your life, we will work to ensure that you have the tools and strategies to prevent reoccurence of your previous problems.

Many clients have heard something about CBT and I am often asked questions about this approach, so I have endeavoured to set out my views regarding the use of CBT within my practice.

As an integrative psychotherapist, I will often use CBT tools and ideas within my integrative approach, since I have found them particularly useful for many clients in offering significant symptom relief, especially at the beginning of therapy.

For a number of therapeutic issues, this level of intervention may be appropriate and sufficient. However, in my experience, although CBT interventions may relieve symptoms for a while, usually the quality of a person's life and their emotional/psychological structures do not change significantly. People may then realise that there is more that needs to be done - that longer term, deeper work is necessary for the lasting, profound changes they wish to make in their lives.

Medication is often suggested as the magic solution to all kinds of psychological issues and problems. My view is that whilst medication can sometimes enhance the effectiveness of psychotherapy and at other times is a necessary compenent of psychotherapy, it is rarely sufficient in itself to achieve lasting change.

Many problems which bring people into therapy - difficulties with relationships, loss of a loved one, problems with anger or lack of meaning and purpose in life - may not be significantly helped by medication, let alone be cured by a pill. Medication can sometimes help people feel better, but rarely changes what their lives are like. Medication cannot create self-reflection and self-understanding.

However, medication can shift mood and enhance the capacity for thinking, often necessary for a person to be able to enter therapy at all. It can make it easier to think and help restore a fuller range of emotions.