Lorna Barnes, Oak Tree Counselling

I find clients are looking to understand themselves, to find reasons they struggle the way they do, and discover how they got where they are. We've all been influenced by our experiences, whether good or bad. Good healthy experiences give us the tools and confidence to navigate life, but what happens when our experiences have been far from good? A child experiencing abuse, trauma, loss, and neglect believes they deserve it or it's their fault, not knowing the adults in their lives are responsible to help them feel secure and confident. Negative childhood experiences often throw individuals into feeling too much responsibility, becoming people pleasers, carrying much shame and guilt, feeling like a burden, social awkwardness, experiencing cognitive distortions, depression, addictions, loss of identity, anxiety and panic disorders, inter-relational problems, lack of confidence, and a lack of boundaries. Clients need to know they're not to blame and there's hope to experience a healthier and purposeful life, the life they were meant to have. Clients need to know they belong, they matter and are not a mistake. If you want to find freedom, purpose, contentment, and healing schedule a 30 minute free consultation to explore whether we'd be a good fit to journey together to a better you.