Ian Wilcox Counselling and Psychotherapy in Derby

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Ian Wilcox BSc (Hons), MSc, MBACP

Our early life experiences often influence our beliefs about ourselves as adults. We may feel we should be different, or notice that we tend to see things in an overly negative light. I can help you to interpret situations in a more balanced way, to make positive changes in your life, and to move towards personal growth and healing.

I am an integrative counsellor and psychotherapist, and provide a calm and professional space for us to explore and work through the various issues in your life. Counselling can be richly rewarding, helping you to gain a new understanding of your past and a more positive vision of your future.

I am qualified with a Master’s Degree (with Distinction), and I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP). My integrative approach combines person-centred therapy, cognitive-behavioural therapy and attachment theory; this broad approach will help me to find the right form of therapy for you, so that we can work together on whichever issues are troubling you.

My practice is located in central Derby, on 15 Vernon Street, DE1 1FT. My phone number is 07828 794909, and my email is [email protected]

I am currently available on Mondays.

Please feel free to get in touch and we can organise an initial session.

What Issues Can I Help You With?

Many issues can be resolved through counselling / psychotherapy, including:

- Anxiety
- Depression
- Stress
- Panic Attacks
- Self-Harm
- Relationship Issues
- Loneliness
- Low Self-Confidence
- Difficult Life Events
- Addictions
- Bereavement / Loss
- Eating Disorders
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) / Intrusive Thoughts
- Trauma
- Suicidal Feelings
- Problems Relating with Other People
- Finding Meaning

What is Counselling / Psychotherapy?

Counselling is a supportive service sought by people who wish to discuss and overcome difficult personal issues. Also known as psychotherapy, this talking therapy involves a professional relationship based on trust. It aims to help you resolve specific problems, better understand experiences that have impacted the way you feel about yourself, and work through inner conflict. My role as a counsellor is to provide a confidential space each week for us to work together towards your goals within therapy, while providing professional guidance based on my therapeutic training. This process may be of very brief or long duration, depending on your needs. Research has shown that counselling can be helpful for a wide variety of issues, such as anxiety, depression, bereavement, relationship problems, eating disorders and trauma. The counselling journey can help to empower you and strengthen your sense of connectedness and purpose, and find deeper insight into yourself and your life.

Below I have given a summary of the three modalities which comprise my approach:

Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive-behavioural therapy is based on the theory that the meaning we give to life events can influence the way we feel and behave towards them. We often don't realise that our interpretation of events around us could be very different to another person's interpretation. For example, a person may view themself in a negative way without realising (or believing) that others see them in a completely different light. We often fall into negative patterns of thinking, which leads to distress and behaviours which reinforce these patterns. In CBT, you work with the therapist to better understand your negative thoughts / beliefs, and where they came from. We then work collaboratively to reframe these beliefs, helping you to view and react to challenging life circumstances in a more realistic and self-empowering way. Effectively, this form of therapy equips you with the tools to change how you think and feel, and solve current problems through personalised coping strategies.

Person-Centred Therapy

The person-centred point of view proposes that we all have an innate ability to move towards healing and inner growth, given the right circumstances. The therapeutic relationship between the therapist and client is key to this approach. If the therapist can create an atmosphere of trust and acceptance, the client may be willing to explore their difficult feelings with a professional who is trained to understand the deeper meanings behind them. This form of therapy can help you to find greater self-understanding, and explore and reconnect with who you truly are. Its client-led approach is very empowering, as it encourages you to trust in your own strengths and find your own way to move forward, with the therapist providing vital support as you make your way through this journey.

Attachment Theory

Attachment theory is guided by the assumption that our earliest experiences can define the ways in which we relate to other people and ourselves. The unique way in which we are raised can impact our views of intimacy and conflict, our expectations of others and our ability to communicate our needs. Our emotional bonds to other people often play a fundamental role in our lives, and issues with relating to others can be deeply painful. Within therapy, attachment theory allows us to explore your past and current relationships in a safe and understanding atmosphere, in order to identify the origins and nature of your distinctive style of relating to others and yourself. This can help to discover why certain issues may be occurring, such as a tendency to try to avoid intimacy, or excessive concern about a relationship. In other words, attachment theory can help you to develop new perspectives on the nature and meaning of relationships and lead to increased security within yourself.

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