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Edi Dowie talks about how counselling is helping people experiencing mild to moderate feelings of anxiety and low mood take more control over their lives.

My name is Edi Dowie and I’m a counsellor with North Tyneside Talking Therapies.

Counselling is a place where people can come to explore their feelings and emotions in a safe, supportive and non- judgemental environment. It can be for anyone but it is most suitable for people who are able to express what they are going through and the troubles they are experiencing.

I typically see people who are experiencing mild to moderate feelings of anxiety, low mood, depression, bereavement and relationship problems.

We offer a six-session model where usually we meet on a weekly or bi-weekly basis with each session lasting 50 minutes. Sessions can be face to face, on the phone or via video call.

Due to the pandemic, our counselling work changed from primarily face to face, to video and telephone counselling.  I am very proud of how quickly both clients and counsellors embraced the necessary changes and adapted well to the different ways that we provide counselling.

Prior to Covid-19, like many people world-wide, I had never worked via Zoom or Teams.  Therefore, it did take some adjustment at first, but I feel that I have now adapted very well, and I enjoy being able to offer clients the style of counselling that they feel suits them best during these new, and sometimes challenging times.

Through working with a counsellor, clients can have the opportunity to express their feelings and emotions and through doing so, this can help build a client’s confidence and help them to gain control over different areas of their lives. Counselling can also help clients to make better choices and decisions for themselves moving forward.

As a counsellor, I enjoy building the therapeutic relationship with clients and being able to work alongside them, helping them to make sense of, and find meaning in their circumstances and experiences.

If you are considering a career in counselling I would say do it!  Counselling is a very rewarding profession, however, like any job, especially during these times of Covid-19, it can be challenging at times.  Therefore, in addition to the advice that we give our clients about the importance of self-care,  we as counsellors, must also heed our own advice!