A prism takes a beam of light and reveals the spectrum of colours within it. The colours were there already; the prism doesn’t change them, it just makes them visible. Each colour has its own wavelength, contributing to the richness of the whole spectrum.
For me, these ideas have become a way of understanding people and counselling. We are all multifaceted, with different experiences, feelings, strengths and ways of seeing the world. There is always more to us than what is immediately visible.
I was thinking a lot about this when I chose the name On Your Wavelength for my practice. Just like light has different wavelengths, we all have our own unique set of experiences, and different ways of making sense of the world. So each person needs an individual approach to counselling too. As a counsellor, being on your wavelength means me taking the time to tune in to your perspective, your experiences and what matters to you. I meet you where you are.
I don't believe there is one right way to be a person, or a single mould we should all fit. But it’s easy to just see ourselves through a narrow lens. Many of us believe “I’m the anxious one”, “I’m the one who doesn’t fit in”, “I’m the one who can’t cope” or “I should have things figured out by now”. Over time, that one part of our experience can start to feel like it defines who we are completely.
But, just like the light, we are not just one thing - we are made up of lots of different colours and we can’t necessarily see all of them. Our past shapes us, but it doesn't determine everything we can become. Sometimes, personal growth begins with approaching ourselves with curiosity rather than judgement, and making space to see things differently.
This is the perspective I bring to counselling. I don't see people as problems to be fixed, but as individuals with their own histories, strengths and possibilities. Counselling offers a space to explore those experiences, recognise familiar patterns and discover new ways of understanding ourselves and relating to the world.
We might not be able to change everything about our past or current situation, but we can sometimes find new perspectives, new choices and new possibilities. Counselling can be a bit like looking through a prism: it can help us to see aspects of ourselves and our experiences in a different light.
There is more to you than meets the eye. Sometimes, it begins with finding a different way of seeing.
