There are a wide variety of counselling modalities that cover a variety of clinical intervention methods or means. Ruth’s main therapeutic method is a strength approach, influenced by “Solution-Focused Therapy”.
What is Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT)?
SFT is a type of talking therapy that focuses on what clients want to achieve through the therapeutic process, rather than concentrating predominantly on the problem(s) that made them seek help. The approach predominantly focuses on the present and the future. The counsellor uses respectful curiosity to invite the client to envision their preferred future. The therapist and client then start attending to any moves towards it, whether these are small increments or large changes. To support this, questions are asked about the client's strengths and resources, and about exceptions to the problem, to construct a concrete vision of a preferred future for themselves.
A key task in SFT is to help clients identify and attend to their skills, abilities, and external resources (e.g. social networks). This process not only helps to construct a narrative of the client as a competent individual, but also aims to help the client identify new ways of bringing these resources to bear upon the problem. Resources can be identified by the client and the counsellor, but is principally achieved by empowering the client to identify their own resources.
Funding Options
If you are a carer of someone with a disability or a chronic illness, or you have been diagnosed with cancer, you may be eligible to benefit from funding for counselling sessions through the National Carer Counselling Program or through Cancer Counselling NSW.
If you have been injured at work and have a WorkCover claim, you may be eligible to receive return to work counselling.
Call 02-9417 4737 or 0403-931520, or send an email puja_brunner@bigpond.com to discuss your options.