THE UPWARD SPIRAL - COUNSELLING
Helping you on the first steps to positive change
Welcome, and thank you for visiting The Upward Spiral.
My name is Steve Thom and I am a male counsellor, providing professional and affordable counselling in Exeter, Teignmouth and online. I am a registered member of the BACP and abide by the BACP Ethical Framework.
I wholeheartedly welcome the chance to work with anyone who needs a warm, compassionate and non-judgmental counsellor to talk to.
In addition to that I also have a special interest in working with:
Men, particularly those who may be struggling to cope and who find it difficult to reach out for help. Issues I can help with range from stress managing anger, anxiety, relationship problems, bereavement or loss, and difficulties with self-esteem and masculinity.
Students who may be experiencing feelings of depression or anxiety related to issues such as academic pressure, family and relationship issues, eating difficulties, feeling stuck or confused or uncertainty about future life choices.
Anyone who is feeling overwhelmed with the pressures of life or work and who may be experiencing burnout.
I am also an experienced and professionally qualified coach and have helped clients with issues such as developing confidence, being more assertive, time management, public speaking and managing difficult working relationships.
Professional Qualifications/Accreditations:
- Advanced Diploma Integrative Counselling - Iron Mill College
- Workplace Mindfulness Training - The Mindfulness Exchange
- Mindfulness MBSR Foundation Teacher Training – Bangor University
- ILM Level 5 Coaching - Inspired2Learn
- NLP Practitioner - John Seymour NLP
HOW CAN counselling HELP?
We can all experience difficulty in our lives. Sometimes it feels as if everything is against us, we can feel trapped, helpless, stuck. Counselling can help us find a way through, I believe in the power of making little, achievable changes. I have also seen with my clients how these ‘small’ changes can then lead to an upward spiral of more positive change, which can reverse the downward spiral of depression and anxiety.
Clients I have worked with tell me that I am easy to talk to, that they feel safe with me and it is our relationship that has helped them to talk about whatever they need to. This is what I offer, a safe and non-judgmental space where I will deeply listen to you and work with you to help you through whatever it is that you are facing right now.
People come to me for help a wide range of issues. Here are a few of the more common difficulties that can be supported through counselling:
Feelings of stress or anxiety
Panic attacks
Relationship problems
Grief, loss or bereavement
Problems with addiction
Trauma and post-traumatic stress
Abuse
Depression
Problems with confidence or self-esteem
Anger management
Issues relating to sexuality
Difficulties at work or in retirement
Burnout
Insomnia
WHY THE UPWARD SPIRAL?
The idea of an Upward Spiral kept coming through in my work with clients, it seemed to be a helpful way to start to make seemingly overwhelming challenges more manageable. As it turns out, there is now some evidence to support this approach:
“Recent research has uncovered the power of the upward spiral: the fact that small positive life changes lead to positive brain changes… and these positive brain changes make further life changes more accessible. Upward Spirals can reverse the downward patterns of depression and anxiety.” — Alan Korb.
A PROBLEM SHARED...
There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to counselling. Each individual is unique, and each session is unique. Sometimes there will be a need to be heard and understood, sometimes a need to process past experience, sometimes a need to prepare for a difficult life choice. Counselling provides the time and space for you to talk about everything and anything that is troubling you in your life, freely and in confidence.
YOUR UPWARD SPIRAL
Working together I can help you gain greater insight into the difficulties you are facing, help you understand why you act or react to them the way you do, and work with you so that you can start to make better, healthier choices moving forward. No matter what issues you bring to counselling, my aim will be to help you make those first steps on your own upward spiral and help you live a happier, healthier life.
CONTACT ME
Please contact me if you have any questions about how counselling works, or to arrange a free no obligation 30 minute consultation. This enables us to discuss the reasons you are thinking of coming to counselling, whether it could be helpful for you and whether I am the right therapist to help.
You can also call me on 07867105679 if you would prefer to leave a message or speak to me first. I am happy to discuss any queries or questions you may have prior to arranging an initial appointment.
All enquires are usually answered within 24 hours, and all contact is strictly confidential and uses secure phone and email services.
LOCATIONS
I am part of the PAC Exeter group and work from 4 Barnfield Crescent, Exeter EX1 1QT
as well as
The Wealth of Health building, 26 Brunswick Street, Teignmouth. TQ14 8AF
FEES & AVAILABILITY
I offer a free 30 minute, no obligation consultation either in person, online or by phone to help us decide if we'd be a good fit to work together.
I then offer short courses of counselling of 4-6 sessions, as well as longer term therapy to explore deeper issues more fully.
Counselling Fees: £50 per session, concessions available for students. Each session lasts 1 hour and normally takes place weekly.
I currently have sessions available in Exeter and Teignmouth as well as online.
YOU MAY NOT KNOW IT, BUT YOU’RE ALREADY ON AN UPWARD SPIRAL...
It can be scary and confusing making the decision to contact a counsellor or therapist, but in my experience people will struggle with a mental health issue, a personal crisis or problems with a relationship for much longer than is healthy. Sometimes a friend has proved a source of comfort, but this help can only go so far. Realising that resolving a problem requires something more means you have actually already taken the first step on your own upward spiral.
Whatever you are struggling with, making contact is the next step. I hope I can help.
© The Upward Sprial
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