Birgit Patenall - Counselling

Karri trees near Margaret River

Befriend your fear instead of fighting it.

A great blog on how to deal with fear using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy principles

There’s a simple ABC formula for fear whispering. When fear shows up, we: allow it, befriend it and channel it. Read more in the blog at https://hubs.li/Q01gwbPm0

Forgiveness is such a big and complex issue.

People who have been wronged by another person usually experience feelings of hurt, anger, sadness, disappointment or shame, just to name a few.

Well meaning friends or family might suggest they should forgive the person who hurt them. They are not forgiving for the other person’s sake, but their own, they are told. It’s best forgive so they can let go of their pain and move on.

But it’s not that easy is it.

What if the person feels so upset by what happened that they just can’t forgive or let it go, even if they agree it might be good for them.

The emotions are so deep, the issue unresolved and forgiveness just isn’t possible, at least not yet.

Before forgiveness is a possibility some healing needs to take place first.

Let’s talk

Happy Mother’s Day 💕

Are your thoughts going round and round in circles?

Maybe you’re trying to make a decision or you’re stuck thinking about how to change your situation?

Well meaning friends give you advice but it all doesn’t really sound right for you.

That’s where counselling can help. Counsellors first of all listen to what’s going on. They ask questions to draw out a little bit more information and help you to look at things from different perspectives. We also try and understand what might be the motivation behind the need for the decision or the change you’re looking for in your life.

Talking to someone completely neutral can really help.

One thing counsellors don’t do is to give advice. At least they are not supposed to. That’s because we believe that people know best what’s right for them, they might just need a bit of help to figure it out.

Let’s talk

[email protected]..au

Once you feel what it’s like to be yourself, to be authentic and true to yourself, there’s no going back.

It’s beautiful to watch when a person allows themselves to be who they really are.

Makes my heart sing.

Let’s talk

[email protected]

Birgit Patenall Counselling Birgit Patenall Counselling, a professional counsellor and registered member of the Australian Counselling Association (ACA). Helping women navigate through life’s challenges. Birgit can help with one-on-one counselling for anxiety, depression or relationship issues, group counselling for women

Anger, such a difficult emotion for many.

We’re ashamed of our anger, feeling guilty about anger, denying that we’re angry, and often feel scared of our anger.

Anger often masks other feelings, once you start peeling back the layers and look a bit deeper other feelings appear. Being angry can feel easier than feeling hurt, disappointed or ashamed.

Anger, such a big topic

Let’s talk

[email protected]

We’d normally talk about what counselling is or does but I’d like to tell you what it is not.

Counselling is not:
🔹giving a diagnosis
🔹giving advice
🔹just for people who have something wrong with them (whatever that means)
🔹 just for women
🔹 having to talk about your inner most secrets
🔹 following an agenda
🔹 a quick fix
🔹 just like talking to your friends

Curious what counselling is really about?

Let’s talk

[email protected]

As a counsellor and psychotherapist I use techniques and psychological theories and approaches to help my clients.

But what’s really important, and often the most healing aspect of therapy, is the contact that takes place between the two individuals in the therapy room.

Sharing the human experience and just being there, in that moment, together, is powerful, often moving and definitely a privilege.

Two human souls meeting. It’s what I love most about being a therapist.

Let’s talk

[email protected]

I would love to wave a magic wand and make all your struggles go way, just like that.
Unfortunately it doesn’t work that way 😢

It’ll take time but bit by bit you’ll figure it out.

Let’s talk.

What is said in the counselling room, stays in the counselling room.

Let’s talk

* full rules & conditions around confidentiality will be explained at the first session.