Compassionate Focused Counselling and Mindfulness
for Long-Standing Anxiety,
Low Mood/Depression
Self-Criticism
Let's just pause for a moment ....
Breathe in.....
Breathe out....
You are here.
You have arrived in the present moment and this is where change can begin.
I help people who may have struggled for many years with anxiety, low mood or depression, often along side low self confidence and a harsh inner critic.
I understand how lonely, exhausting and overwhelming it can feel struggling to manage your thoughts and emotions day after day. You may feel like you have been like this forever, telling yourself you are different than others or not as good as, and over time this can lead to feelings of low mood or depression.
My approach offers something different. I can help you to develop a kinder, more understanding relationship with your inner world through learning to relate differently to your thoughts and feelings. I can support you to give up the fight and begin to live more gently with yourself , moving towards the things that are important in your life rather than trying to fix yourself. I can help you to relate to yourself with compassion and self-acceptance.
So, bring all of who you are and together we can find a more calmer and kinder way for you to be in the world.
How Can I Help You?
We will begin by gently exploring what could be the underlying cause of your anxiety, low mood or emotional struggles you are experiencing. This might include looking at your past experiences and early relationships or what is happening for you now in your life. Together, we can begin to understand the patterns of your thoughts, feelings and behaviours and how these may have developed over time. I will help you to manage difficult overwhelming feelings, thoughts and behaviours by helping you to respond to them differently.
A central part of my work is helping you to develop compassion towards yourself and what you are struggling with. We may do a range of gentle practices including:
Mindfulness and grounding exercises
Compassion focused imagery
Reflective writing such as compassionate letter writing
Working with thoughts and beliefs
Soothing breathing practices to help calm the threat system.
Everything is at your own pace and we will only explore what feels safe and manageable for you.
My aim to help you stop fighting, fixing and running away from uncomfortable, overwhelming emotions, feelings and thoughts. To begin to understand these thoughts and feelings and make space for them, enabling you to live the life you want even when these difficulties show up.
I am a professionally qualified counsellor working integratively, drawing on the evidenced based approaches of:
Compassion Focused Therapy
Mindfulness based practices
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
Exposure and Response Prevention where appropriate.
Before deciding to train in counselling, I worked as an Holistic Complimentary Therapist for more than 20 years supporting people affected by cancer and their families. As a Counsellor, I integrate my years of experience as a Holistic Therapist and my own personal life experience into my counselling work and continue to practice Reflexology to support relaxation and and calm the nervous system.
I have a genuine interest, care and concern for people valuing every person as unique and individual. I believe that we all have the capacity for change and growth given the right conditions.
I offer a supportive counselling relationship of warmth, compassion, acceptance and inclusion of whatever you bring.
I am a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy which means that I am committed to working in accordance with their Ethical Framework and continued professional development.
I am also a member of the Counselling Directory
Making first contact
If what you have you read resonates with you and you would like to find out more, you are very welcome to get in touch for an initial conversation. I offer a free 20 minute session online or telephone to enable us to find out more about each other and whether I am the right counsellor to help you.
If we feel that we can work together, we can then work out a mutually suitable time and day that sessions can begin.
I also offer online counselling sessions and have daytime , evening and weekend availability.
How long are sessions?
Sessions last for 60 minutes. They are usually weekly and held on the same day and time.
Having weekly sessions are preferable as this allows more continuity and progress but fortnightly sessions can be arranged if this is something that is preferable.
How many session do I need?
This is different for everyone and will be agreed with you. There is no limit on the number of sessions.
We will regularly review and check in together as how the sessions are progressing. There is no commitment from you to attend a number of sessions.
What I can help with
Stress
Anxiety
Existential Crisis
Bereavement
Depression
Eating disorders
Loss
OCD
Panic
Phobias
Depression
Self esteem
Social Anxiety
Generalised anxiety disorder
Low Mood
Self-criticism
Life Transitions
Pet Bereavement
Shame
Sessions & Fees
Counselling sessions £60.
Reflexology sessions £50
All sessions are for 1 hour
Payment is required on the day by bank payment, cash or card machine.
48 hour notice is required for cancelled appointments.
Contact me
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about how counselling works, or to arrange a free 20 minute session. This enables us to get to know each other, discuss the reasons you are thinking of starting therapy and whether I can help you.
You can also call me or text me on 07400 381946 .
All enquires are usually answered within 48 hours, and all contact is strictly confidential and uses secure phone and email services.
“If you want the truth,
I’ll tell you the truth:
Listen to the secret sound,
the real sound,
which is inside you...”
-Kabir