Stuart Paterson

Ways of Working

Individual psychotherapy takes place between the
client and the therapist.
Each therapeutic relationship is unique, and the work may be short
term or ongoing, depending on the needs of
the individual.

Its focus is primarily our relationship to ourselves,
and yet it is a situation in which we discover ourselves
through dialogue and relationship with another: the therapist.
This is an opportunity for the client to get
authentic responses from someone who is
interested in them, and yet not involved in an
everyday way, like a friend or family member might be.

Couples work is for two people in an intimate
relationship, who may want to explore issues
like sexuality, whether or not to start a family,
how to deal with conflict, or to better under-
stand a recurring pattern of behaviour in the
relationship.

Couples work may also be useful for friends or family
members who have issues with each other they
would like to resolve.

Group psychotherapy is a forum for doing ongo-
ing therapy with others who are also working
on themselves.
Groups offer the opportunity
to receive feedback from peers, in addition to
the therapist, and a chance to work on inter-
personal issues that arise within the group, as
well on issues from our lives.

They are particularly useful for those wishing to explore
how they are in group situations, (be they families,
friendships or the workplace), and who would
like to practice new behaviours in a safe and
dynamic environment.