Amrit Sagoo MSc, BA (Hons), MBACP
Existential Psychotherapy and Counselling in London
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My initial interest in the bigger questions on life and the meaning to our human existence stemmed from my philosophy studies which I enjoyed very much. I was and still am fascinated by existential ideas by Albert Camus. His work focuses very much on what it means to exist and to be alive. Over the years I find that the work has taken on a different meaning for me. Through my clients and the course of my own life, I have come to recognise therapy as a valuable part of life for it offers much support and healing through the therapeutic relationship.
Why Psychotherapy?
Well, I believe in it. I believe it works and works primarily because of the therapeutic relationship held consistently within the therapeutic framework. But what is therapy and counselling really about and why do people need the kind of help that therapists offer? Surely people can manage to survive and grow and overcome problems on their own?
Of course they can.
Most of us do, most of the time.
It is when that process breaks down, gets blocked, or is not moving along as quickly or as directly as we want it to, that we call on a therapist.
And what would a therapist do that makes her different from a friend, a pastor, a mother, a hairdresser or a bartender even? Well I would create and work within a relationship that is focused on you and your needs and develop a form of being with you that is unique in that it involves a genuine two-way contact at a deep level of knowing and caring and yet has at its purpose the personal growth and enrichment of only one of the two participants (you). This does not mean that I, as the therapist, will not be enriched by the process for I will if I'm doing my job well: I must grow as a result but my growth and learning will be incidental. The primary reason for being in a therapeutic relationship is the enrichment of the client and the client only. Only in therapy is a personal relationship with another human being the primary vehicle through which changes in feeling, thinking and behaving are expected to occur. It is the use of this very relationship to effect positive change and growth that makes therapy and counselling unique.