Supporting Your Well-Being

I'm Here to Listen

About

Matt Little is MBACP registered (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) and APAPM (Addiction Professionals Advanced Practitioner Member) formally FDAP.

Matt has a wealth of knowledge and experience spanning many years working as an integrative counsellor in the UK. Matt has worked successfully with clients struggling in many areas, including trauma, depression, behaviour disorders, and anxiety. Matt has also specialised in substance use disorder as a clinical lead and head counsellor in a luxury rehab in Bali. 

Matt initially trained as an Integrative Counsellor and now works in a Person-Centred way by creating a safe reliable, trusting space for you to explore your patterns of behaviour and begin to discover the missing links that have led you to the place you may find yourself in today.

My Promise to You

I promise to be there for you every step of your journey. My goal is to help you grow from your struggles, heal from your pain, and move forward to where you want to be in your life. here are some of what you can expect from me:
 
  • Establishing a relationship of trust with you.
  • Help you to make decisions about your present circumstances.
  • Absolute confidentiality.
  • Ability to empathize with you and understand from your perspective.
  • Understanding of your needs.
  • Support your ability to cope with emotional situations.
  • Patience and a calm manner.
  • Identifying behavioural issues and provide solutions to tackle them.

What I Can Offer

As a person-centred counsellor, my role is to create a safe and supportive environment in which you as a client can explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences without fear of judgment or criticism. To achieve this, I can offer:

  1. Empathy: I try to understand and appreciate your feelings and experiences from your perspective. This involves active listening, paying attention to non-verbal cues, and reflecting on what I hear to ensure that I have understood you correctly.
  2. Congruence: Being authentic and genuine in my interactions with you as a client. This means being honest about my thoughts and feelings and avoiding any attempts to manipulate or control the conversation.
  3. Unconditional Positive Regard: Accept and value you as a client for who you are, without imposing my own values or beliefs on to you. This involves being non-judgmental and accepting of any disclosures that you may make.
  4. Active Listening: Listen attentively and ask open-ended questions that encourage you to explore your own experiences and emotions in more depth. Show interest and curiosity in your story.
  5. Reflection: Reflect back to you as a client what I have heard, so you feel truly heard and understood. Reflecting back on your emotions, thoughts, and experiences can help you explore more deeply and find insights and resolutions.

The person-centred approach is client-led, meaning that my role is to facilitate your exploration of your own thoughts and feelings, rather than to direct or advise you. By offering empathy, congruence, unconditional positive regard, active listening, and reflection, I can create a space where my clients feel heard, understood, and supported, which can be a powerful catalyst for healing and growth.

 

Depression, Anxiety & Fear

Depression, anxiety, and fear are common mental health concerns that many people experience at some point in their lives. While they are distinct conditions, they can also be related and can often occur together. Depression is a mood disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a loss of interest in activities that one used to enjoy. It can lead to significant impairments in a person's ability to function in their daily life. Anxiety is a condition that involves excessive and persistent worry and fears about everyday situations. This can manifest as physical symptoms such as increased heart rate, sweating, and difficulty breathing, as well as psychological symptoms such as irritability and restlessness. Fear is an emotional response to a perceived threat, danger or harm. It can manifest as a physical response, such as increased heart rate and sweating, and can cause a person to avoid situations or experiences that trigger the fear response. If you are experiencing any of these conditions, it is important to seek support from a qualified mental health professional, such as a counsellor or therapist. They can help you identify the underlying causes of your symptoms and provide you with strategies to manage them. Some common treatment options for depression, anxiety, and fear may include: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): A type of talk therapy that helps individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviours that contribute to their symptoms. Mindfulness-based interventions: Mindfulness techniques can help individuals cultivate awareness and acceptance of their thoughts and emotions, which can reduce the intensity of their symptoms. Medication: Antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications can be prescribed by a psychiatrist to manage symptoms in some cases. Lifestyle changes: Engaging in regular exercise, practising good sleep hygiene, and reducing alcohol and caffeine intake can also help manage symptoms. Remember, seeking support for depression, anxiety, and fear is a sign of strength, and it is possible to manage these conditions with the right help and support.

Substance Use Disorder

Substance use disorder (SUD) is a condition characterized by a problematic pattern of substance use that leads to significant distress or impairment in an individual's life. Substance use disorders can include the use of alcohol, prescription medications, and illegal drugs. SUD is a complex condition that can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetic, environmental, and social factors. It can also lead to a range of negative consequences, including health problems, social and relationship problems, and legal issues. If you suspect that you or someone you know may be struggling with a substance use disorder, it is important to seek support from a qualified healthcare professional. They can help you assess the severity of the condition and recommend appropriate treatment options. Treatment for SUD may include: Detoxification: The process of removing the substance from the body, which can be done in a medically supervised setting to help manage withdrawal symptoms. Behavioral therapy: This can include individual or group therapy sessions, which can help individuals understand and manage the psychological and social factors that contribute to their substance use disorder. Medications: Medications can be used to help individuals manage withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings for drugs or alcohol. Support groups: Joining a support group can provide individuals with an opportunity to connect with others who are going through similar experiences and to receive support and encouragement. It is important to remember that recovery from substance use disorder is a process that takes time and effort. With the right support, however, it is possible to manage and overcome the condition, and to lead a healthy, fulfilling life in recovery.

Trauma
Informed

Trauma-informed counselling is a therapeutic approach that emphasizes the recognition and understanding of the impact of trauma on an individual's life, and how it may manifest in their behaviour, thoughts, and emotions. The goal of trauma-informed counselling is to create a safe and supportive environment for the individual and to help them heal from the effects of trauma. Here are some key principles of trauma-informed counselling: Safety: Creating a safe environment is crucial for individuals who have experienced trauma. This involves physical safety, emotional safety, and psychological safety. Trauma-informed counsellors work to create an atmosphere of safety and trust and to ensure that the client feels heard, validated, and respected. Trustworthiness: It is important to be transparent, honest, and reliable in all interactions with clients. Trauma-informed counsellors aim to create an environment in which the client feels secure and confident that their best interests are being prioritized. Choice: Individuals who have experienced trauma may feel like they have lost control over their lives. Trauma-informed counselling emphasizes the importance of giving clients choices and control over their treatment and respecting their decisions. Collaboration: Trauma-informed counselling is a collaborative process between the counsellor and the client. Counsellors work to create a partnership with the client and to involve them in decisions about their treatment. Empowerment: The goal of trauma-informed counselling is to empower the individual to take control of their healing process. Counsellors aim to help clients build skills and resources and to develop a sense of agency and autonomy. Trauma-informed counselling can be beneficial for individuals who have experienced trauma, including those who have experienced abuse, neglect, violence, or other traumatic events. By creating a safe and supportive environment, and working collaboratively with clients, trauma-informed counsellors can help individuals heal from the effects of trauma, and build resilience and strength.

Online
Services

Online counselling services, also known as teletherapy or e-counselling, offer mental health support and therapy through digital communication channels such as video conferencing, phone calls, and instant messaging. Online counselling services provide individuals with access to mental health support from the comfort and privacy of their own homes and can be especially helpful for those who live in rural areas or who have mobility or transportation issues. Here are some benefits of online counselling services: Accessibility: Online counselling services are easily accessible to individuals who may not have access to traditional face-to-face counselling due to geographic or logistical barriers. Convenience: Online counselling services can be scheduled at times that are convenient for the individual, which can be especially helpful for individuals who have busy schedules or mobility issues. Affordability: Online counselling services can be more affordable than traditional counselling services, as they typically require less overhead costs for the provider. Anonymity: Online counselling services can offer greater anonymity and privacy, which can be important for individuals who are hesitant to seek traditional counselling services due to concerns about stigma or confidentiality. Continuity of care: Online counselling services can provide continuity of care for individuals who may need to travel or relocate frequently, as they can continue their therapy sessions with the same provider regardless of their location. It is important to note that not all mental health concerns may be appropriate for online counselling services. Individuals with severe mental health concerns may need more intensive or in-person treatment. It is important to discuss with a mental health professional to determine if online counselling services are appropriate for your specific needs.

CONTACT ME

The first step towards a better future

www.info@mattlittlecounsellor.com