THERAPY
With Know Limits, Therapy involves constructive discussions and exercises that help you gain insight, develop coping strategies, and work towards solutions.
Therapy may help you cope with life’s challenges in healthier and more productive ways. It is generally about helping you heal the past to enable you to live more fully in the present and future.
Choosing Therapy with Know Limits means you can utilise a range of methods including the following: Dramatherapy, Individual Therapy, Couple’s Therapy, Relationship Therapy, Family Therapy, Group Dramatherapy, Grief and Loss Therapy.
Therapy is offered both online or face to face to suit individual needs. Mandy offers individual and group therapy discounted rates on request for students in training.
dramatherapy
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Dramatherapy is a form of Psychotherapy. Dramatherapists are both clinicians and artists that draw on their knowledge of theatre and therapy to use as a medium for psychological therapy that may include drama, story-making, music, movement, and art; to work with any issue that has presented itself. Dramatherapy has as its main focus on the intentional use of healing aspects of drama and theatre as the therapeutic process. Mandy is a qualified Dramatherapist that works with their clients using a very wide range of dramatic techniques in verbal and non-verbal ways. Though vocalisation, story making and talk are integral parts of dramatherapy, the practice does not necessarily rely on spoken language alone to resolve what a pupil, client, or patient may wish to address, explore or to seek support with. Embodiment and movement are also vital in our practice.
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The ability to explore how to deal with situations of conflict.
To learn how to cope with easing transition and change.
By connecting with the creative side of the brain to free the mind up, it can help look at situations in a different way.
Working more creatively can help to bring more fun and spontaneity into life.
Building up confidence in developing relationships and how to communicate more assertively.
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We use Dramatherapy as a method of working and playing which uses action methods to facilitate creativity, imagination, learning, insight and growth.
Through the use of drama techniques such as story making, movement, voice, improvisation, role play and role reversal, our dramatherapy delivery focuses on building POSITIVE relationships.Dramatherapy has been found to help with a variety of clients and themes with all ages including the following:
• People who self-harm
• Young people who have come into conflict with the law
• Young people who have been in hospital or a residential setting for a while
• Families who have experienced domestic violence
• Young people who have offended
• Adults with mental health problems
Dramatherapy can work with a range of issues including developing social skills, increasing focus and concentration, and expressing feelings in a safe and fun way.
Dramatherapy may take place in individual or group sessions. Dramatherapy programmes can also be tailor-made for staff to learn different skills to work with their clients/patients. Know Limits also works with students in their Dramatherapy training requiring therapy.
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Couples therapy, also known as couples counselling or marriage therapy, is a type of psychotherapy aimed at helping couples improve their relationship. With Know Limits you will explore the reasons for your past behaviour and thought patterns within relationships.
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It can help you improve communication skills, overall satisfaction and resolve conflicts in a healthy way.
A stronger emotional connection and intimacy.
Support to identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviours.
An understanding of how your partners past, influences the current status of the relationship.
A more subjective view of your partners issues and a more objective view of your own.
Ability to address specific issues such as infidelity, financial stress, parenting challenges and sexual intimacy.
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A range of techniques and worksheets will be utilised to assess your relationship identifying strengths and areas for improvement. You will be encouraged to complete this individually and then create your couple goals. You will be given exercises to complete between sessions to help support your learning. In the sessions a range of creative tools can be accessed where appropriate including role reversal, mirroring exercises, writing a letter, shared activities, guided imagery, emotions wheel and a couple journal to name a few.
You can have virtual therapy, face to face therapy, or a combination of the two. The advantage of virtual is you can be in any geographical location within the UK and may be easier to fit in with work and family commitments. An initial therapy package requires a minimum commitment of 4 months of weekly sessions (this agreement would be entered into post initial consultation to ensure Know Limits are the right fit for you).
couples therapy
grief & loss therapy
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It focuses on helping you navigate the complex emotions and stages of grief. This type of therapy is beneficial for anyone who has experienced a significant loss, whether it be the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, the loss of a job, or any other life-altering event. Know Limits is expertly qualified in this area and also understands the impact of loss of a personal level.
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Emotional support.
Understanding and acceptance.
Coping skills and reduced symptoms of grief.
Improved well-being and finding meaning.
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Mandy will begin by assessing your current emotional state, understanding the nature of the loss, and identifying any specific needs or concerns. Together we will set goals for the therapy duration, which may include processing the loss, managing emotions, and finding ways to adjust to life after the loss.
Mandy will provide a safe space for you to talk about your loss, express your feelings, and share memories. You will be helped to identify a range of emotions and be guided through the stages of grief. This will include an understanding that stages are a guide and not linear. You will explore a range of coping methods and adjusting to life relating to the loss.
You can have virtual therapy, face to face therapy, or a combination of the two. The advantage of virtual is you can be in any geographical location within the UK. An initial therapy package requires a minimum commitment of 4 months of weekly sessions (this agreement would be entered into post initial consultation to ensure Know Limits are the right fit for you).
what do our clients say?
"Mandy is a true inspiration to all that she meets, her calming and 'altogether' presence leaves something to admire and encourages you to feel relaxed and open in a non-intrusive space. Mandy was able to take me on a journey of self-discovery and open up doors I was reluctant to open. Her ability ' to tell it how it is' reflected back to me certain opinions and pre-judgements I had and took them in a new direction of awareness. This I truly appreciated as she allowed me to grow and blossom and take some thought over big decisions I needed to take concerning my personal transistion at the time. Through careful facilitated discussions not only did 'I' develop but as a group we bonded and by each others stories learnt how alike and so very different we are in the world, given us clarity but also a sense of individuality and empowerment. The drama therapy I experienced with Mandy was a truly insightful experience and gives all who take on the opportunity to chance to be creative, to explore, to make, to play, to laugh,to cry and to talk. I will continue to highly recommend Mandy Gutsell as an amazing dramatherapist to all that I meet."
-KAREN GRIFFITHS
“I was very apprehensive about embarking on group therapy as this was very unfamiliar to me. I was unsure what to expect from both other group members and Mandy as a facilitator. Mandy exceeded all my expectations by holding the group and creating a space where we all had equal opportunity to share and explore our feelings. Her personable approach allowed me to open in ways I had previously not felt strong enough to do so and helped me to value my role within groups in general. The process took place online due to the pandemic, however, I do not feel this hindered my experience in any way. If anything, how Mandy dealt with this new dynamic opened my mind up to the world of opportunities that online therapy can offer. This process was extremely challenging for me as my experience with past groups had been difficult. However, this experience has created a whole new narrative of groups and my role within them, and it has undoubtedly been a huge learning opportunity for me. I cannot thank Mandy enough for challenging me and creating a safe space for me to be able to step outside my comfort zone. I was given permission to be vulnerable, to be witnessed and to be heard, something that I feel has been a crucial part of my personal process. This has been an unforgettable experience and I will forever appreciate the support and warmth I have received from Mandy since our very first encounter.”
-JODIE CAREY
“Mandy has been both my individual and group therapist throughout my training for my MA. When I first was looking for a therapist I wanted someone that was down to earth and grounded. Mandy has both of these qualities. She has enabled me to be open and honest, vulnerable and strong during our sessions which have really helped me to develop my own sense of self. The individual sessions have been client led and client focussed. Whatever I want to bring to session is encouraged and worked with, Mandy’s style has been to follow my pace and stay with me when times have been difficult – she has a very holding nature. I have felt fully supported and comfortable during all of our sessions which allowed the process to deepen very early on. My university gave the advice that when we choose a therapist they need to be someone that you would want to still work with when times are difficult and true to form it has been great advice. Mandy has always been someone that I want to see, someone that I know when things are challenging she is there waiting to share the experiences with me. This on many occasions has kept me going to sessions as instinct for me can be to run away. She has a great presence that is fun and inviting. I would fully recommend her as a therapist and hope that I can take a bit of her style into my own practice because she ace!”
-CHYLA YOUNG
“Mandy has been my supervisor since April 2021. She is creative in her approach to supervision & has a wealth of experience & depth of understanding of clinical practice. I really appreciate the fresh perspective, challenging questions & encouragement she
offers as we explore my work. I’m so glad I found her! “
-Anita Worcester, Dramatherapist, Coach, Supervisor.
“I have used Mandy as a therapist for my 2 children, aged 12 and 13. My Children had a variety of emotional issues that they needed to start working through such as rejection, anger, loss, self esteem. I wanted to find them someone who could work in a more dynamic way with them rather than the more traditional type of counselling that I felt they would not engage with.
I found Mandy approachable and down to earth, someone who also had a wealth of experience and knowledge.
I found Mandy to be professional and in tune with their needs – she was able to use different mediums to look at issues with them in a way that felt less pressured for them.
Mandy was good at feeding back to me and taking on board my opinions in order to help them. Both of them had a positive experience but after 10 sessions wanted a break from talking and looking at things. No therapy is a magic wand but it has helped to teach them new skills and ways of dealing with things.
One of the main things was that they seemed to really like Mandy and found working with her fun which helped.”
-JANE PUOPOLO, PARENT
“ Working with us as a couple, I never felt that Mandy took sides, or shied away from probing questions. The 'homework' set offered real insight into where we believed we were in our relationship, and by sharing these with each other in the therapy sessions my wife and I started to gain real understanding of each other again. Where discussion turned to more difficult topics, Mandy skilfully gave time to each of us but also moved at a pace that both my wife and I could work with; I never felt rushed or pressured, but equally never felt that I was being let 'off the hook.' Throughout the process I felt listened to, and the ground rules laid out at the beginning of the process (in collaboration with all parties) were gently, but firmly, adhered to at all times. The exercises Mandy set us after the sessions became an important part of our wider routine, and we have adopted many of them even though our time in couple's therapy has finished. We have learned to listen to each other, but also to listen to ourselves and notice our underlying behaviours and thought processes. My wife and I are far more deliberate and intentional and have learnt so much about ourselves and each other. I cannot recommend Mandy enough: the process rekindled our marriage."
-RHYS & EMMA BAKER, MARRIED COUPLE
Phone: +44 (0) 7951 229941
Email: mandy@knowlimitscoach.com
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