Difficult, but not impossible, to answer

Each therapist will have their own approach and own working style.  At the heart of my practice is a trusting relationship between client and therapist.  Once this is established I tailor my approach for each individual client. The intention is that the trust between us, and my tailored approach, will enable clients to feel secure and safe enough to allow themselves to be honest with me. And by being honest with me, they are being honest with themselves.  This honesty is a key catalyst for change.

Integrative Therapy

I practice Integrative Therapy - which means that I draw on various therapeutic models with clients.  We are all individuals, hence my desire to tailor sessions to each client's needs and circumstance.  My practice is to be gentle, to be firm, to be quiet, to question; the work between us is a joint undertaking, to enable you to make discoveries about yourself which can give you the ability to make changes to your thoughts, feelings and actions.  

Knowing and understanding ourselves

I believe that a better understanding of ourselves, our emotions and our triggers, is both liberating and empowering.  Therapy can help you know yourself properly.

Rewarding

The point about therapy is for the client to make their own discoveries.  My analogy is that the client and I are in a dark room, and through gentle questioning we discover where the doors are.  But it is up to you, the client, whether you metaphorically open these doors.  It can be challenging, but also very rewarding.

Light bulb moments or quiet insight

So, I am not sure that I have answered the question  'How does therapy work?' - for each person it is different and comparisons are difficult to make.  Some clients have 'light bulb' moments of realisation, whilst others gain quiet insight.