Person-Centred
Counselling
Edinburgh
My name is Charles Durning, and Peacetalk
is my Edinburgh-based counselling practice.
I hope the name 'Peacetalk' suggests something of
the feel, and the focus of my practice - that I offer
a calm and accepting space for the resolution of
difficulty through the simple medium of talking,
and the understanding that arises from that.
It is my firm belief, grounded both in personal experience, and in my practice as a counsellor, that
we each carry within us all that we need to live lives which are satisfying to us - but that we may at
times need help to recognise and to utilize this capacity; especially if our connection to it has
been compromised - either through life experience or circumstance.
Sometimes conversations with close friends
can be enough. But when difficulty is deep or
understanding scarce (and self-belief possibly
fragile), then counselling can offer a special kind
of conversation: one dedicated to the deepening
of understanding and to the mobilisation of our
inner resources - and so to the dissolution of
barriers to growth and fulfillment.
These barriers can feel insurmountable - especially when we are under stress, maybe facing new
challenges, or simply worn down by familiar ones. At such times the support offered by
counselling can help us to engage our innate ability not just to cope, but to thrive - to find life.
counselling can help you
to hear your inner voice
- and trust what it
is saying
My aim as a Person-Centred counsellor is to nurture my client's own understanding
of themselves and their circumstances - and empower them to act from this position of
understanding.
I have found this approach to be highly effective with clients experiencing many kinds of
difficulty, including:
anxiety, depression, panic attacks, loss of direction, grief and bereavement,
childhood trauma, low self-esteem, eating problems and relationship issues.
My familiarity with the landscape, and the
trajectory of self-recovery, comes from over 20
years experience in personal growth and support
work - including body work (Chi Gong) and
meditation - alongside my formal counselling
training and practice.
Consequently as well as insight, I am able to
offer my clients relaxation and mindfulness
techniques - particularly beneficial to those
experiencing stress, anxiety or depression.
I hope that the pages of this website give sufficient
idea of my practice for you to sense whether it
might be helpful to you.
If you feel that it might, then please contact me to
arrange an introductory session.