Working together
​Relationship is at the heart of my work, and I bring empathy and compassion, aiming to provide you with a space that feels safe so that you can be yourself and tell your story.
Sometimes when we experience difficulty and challenge in our lives, that feeling of safe connection, or attachment, to those around us can feel lost. Among other things, we might feel depressed or anxious, people please, develop compulsive behaviours, or struggle with addiction. Often, we start to function in survival mode and this can show up in fight, flight or freeze responses in our mind and body.
I work as an integrative counsellor, which simply means I draw on a range of approaches and ideas, rather than working in one fixed way. Everyone is different, so we’ll spend time working out what feels most supportive for you as an individual. I see counselling as a shared exploration — an ongoing conversation where we think things through together, at your pace.
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Some of the approaches that inform my work include attachment theory, which helps us understand how we relate to others and how those early patterns can show up in our lives now, polyvagal theory, which looks at how our nervous system responds to stress, trauma and feeling overwhelmed. I also work in an Internal Family Systems-informed way, which involves gently exploring the different “parts” of us — including those that may seem unhelpful or self-destructive at times, but are often trying to protect us from pain (for example, in the context of addiction).
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Alongside this, I draw from Compassion Focused Therapy, Existential and Gestalt approaches, the core conditions of Person Centred counselling, as well as some CBT techniques and Motivational Interviewing. Occasionally, and only when it feels useful, I may suggest something to reflect on or try out between sessions.​​
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At the beginning of our work together, the focus will be on building a trusting relationship. Like any new connection, this takes time, and there’s no rush. We’ll explore what has brought you to counselling, what you’d like to be different, or what you might want more of in your life, and gently consider how change might happen.
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My role is largely to listen — really listen. You’ll do most of the talking, while I may ask questions to help deepen understanding, or sometimes gently challenge something you’ve said. All of this is done with the aim of supporting you to reconnect with your own insight and inner resources. You are the expert on you.
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Email me at zoebartlettcounselling@gmail.com to arrange a free, no obligation, 15 minute call to find our how we might work together.
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