Happy 6th Birthday Counselling West Bridgford!
Oh my goodness. On the one hand I can’t believe another year has flown by, but on the other hand given the packed year I’ve had, it’s no wonder.
The big news this year was moving into my new space at Hilton Crescent. It’s so lovely to have my own space and I settled in really quickly – the first month felt a little strange but it soon felt like home. It’s saved my a huge amount in costs which gives me the freedom to work on future projects rather than always focussed on paying the latest month’s bills.
It was a renovation project – see the collage – and converting it from an old space stuck in the 90s to a warm, cosy therapy space was hard work but exciting to deliver. I have to give massive thanks to my partner Jon and my brother Alan who went above and beyond with hacking out the old fireplace and decorating (the hall stairs and landing was a mammoth undertaking). Also Julie who hung the forest mural – she was the wallpaper expert (she’d done it once before!) and Jenni who helped with the painting – a miracle worker with a paint roller. And all of them for the moral support to deliver in time to open at the beginning of May. Much like the renovation programmes you see on tv, despite apparently loads of contingency (in terms of time and money) it all went up to the wire. Easter weekend will remain etched in my mind as I knew I couldn’t go home until the decorating was all done – the carpet was booked in for the following week…. And I’d given notice on my office so had to be out May Day weekend… But we made it!
Last year I reported on my growing confidence in couples therapy work, and that has really manifested itself now as 50% of my work is now with couples. Parallel to that I realised that I’ve become a specialist in relationships not just for couples but individuals as well. Whether single and wanting a meaningful relationship or in a couple but wanting to strengthen the connection with your partner, that’s now the majority of the work I do. A mini-refresh of the website enabled that so it’s re-focussed on where I’m at now.
And none of this would be possible without the trust clients place in me every time they show up. It’s a privilege to do the work I do and I don’t take that for granted.
Since the beginning in 2020 I’ve had over 4,500 appointments with 447 clients.
Enquiries have stepped up again for yet another year. I’ve invested time and lots of money to get it to that place and it’s so good to see all those efforts pay off.
I’m in what is the final year of my term as a UKCP trustee. It’s been a rocky road but there is a great satisfaction in seeing the significant, positive change that is (finally) being delivered. I’m interested to see next year if I’ve decided to run for office again – things are finally changing and I want to experience the fruits of that labour – or hang up my trustee boots. I’ll let you know!
For a couples of years I’ve bemoaned the lack of writing. Well I upped the ante at the beginning of the year by starting to write a book based on the three-card-system which was introduced to the wider world via the Red Article I contributed to this year. This time next year I imagine it will still be a work in progress, but hopefully I’ll be well on my way.
A constant theme with psychotherapists is the risk of burn out. January this year I set a goal to reduce the number of client hours. I knew the hours I was doing wasn’t sustainable for the long-term and in March this year I felt too close to that happening to me. A holiday and determined action means I’ve reduced my availability. Which has been harder than it sounds given the long-term nature of some of my client work, but I have set the intention and goals along the way to make that happen. It will also free up time to work on my other projects.
Which leads me to: what else to expect in next year’s report? As well as plans for the book, I really want to start a monthly “agony-aunt” style podcast, I have a product in design that I want to move forward. So still lots going on as always – and I’ll report back next year!
