Counselling, Mindfulness, Crisis Sessions

Are you or someone you care about struggling? Perhaps experiencing a sudden or prolonged period of extreme stress/anxiety or other concerns?

I offer a Calm, Safe, Non-Judgmental, Trauma-Sensitive counseling space in which to explore what is going on for You in Your Emotional, Psychological, Physical, Spiritual and Home/Work Life.

I understand that circumstances- sudden or built-up - can provoke strong physical and psychological responses leading to sudden anxiety and overwhelm. This can be frightening and destabilizing. We’re not always wanting to commit to regular weekly, in- counseling at such times – or ever- sometimes we just want to be heard, to be soothed, to ground, regroup. Sometimes we need more than one session a week to get us through an intense period of stress. This is why I also offer ‘crisis’ counseling, mindfulness or bodywork sessions – or a combination - with the aim of dulling the flight or fight response and reactivating the parasympathetic nervous system, soothing and grounding.

Are you wondering if you might benefit from counseling but worried that you won’t be able to cope?
Fortunately, Counseling doesn’t have to involve dredging up past events or feelings – or going into upsetting levels of detail - unless this is something you actively want to work towards doing as part of your process; instead, focusing on the present and future can be an enlightening, effective and hopeful way of working. Counseling can also be blended with one-to-one Mindfulness teaching - or bodywork; this can help support you during therapy sessions and teach you coping strategies to use at home throughout your therapeutic journey and beyond.

Mindfulness can help you learn to create your own calm space in which to re-centre, relax, reflect and re-connect with yourself.

Have you tried Mindfulness with apps or group courses at work or school but couldn’t get on with them?

Apps work well for some people - and also not so well for some people! There is a vast difference between an app that by it’s nature keeps you attached to your phone and everything on it – and a human, personal, one-to-one in-depth mindfulness guidance and practice. Similarly, group mindfulness sessions – especially at work or school - are dictated by their environment (an environment which may have stressful associations) and therefore by their nature can be difficult for some people and do not necessarily offer the opportunity to express and explore ourselves openly without fear of judgement, or in the same personal and therapeutic depth as in a one-to-one session allows. By contrast, I offer one-to-one Mindfulness teaching in a calm, gentle, safe environment;- a real face to face experience, sharing space and practice, therapeutic dialogue, communication and discussion with an actual human who is also an experienced counselor.

I am qualified to teach Mindfulness both to groups and to individuals - including the Mindfulness Now approach which is approved by the British Psychological Society.
Mindfulness Now is a blend of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness-Based CBT, is extremely adaptable to individual needs and can include a gentle and reflective form of CBT/ Counseling. Whilst it can include CBT based approaches, exercises and discussions, it is far less intense than Pure CBT, and offers plenty of time and space for reflection, whilst providing relaxation and grounding techniques that you practice at home – and wherever you feel the need. If CBT is not your thing, we can instead focus more on stress reduction and space for self-reflection and awareness within a supportive environment, whilst learning Mindfulness techniques for every day life. Both approaches require you to begin a daily mindfulness practice at home. You are supported in this during our sessions and also at home with audio recordings of guided mindfulness meditation and relaxation – created and recorded specially by myself and tailored to your needs.
Mindfulness Now is given in 8 weekly or fortnightly 1.5 hr sessions, although the duration can be extended or condensed according to individual needs.

Reflexology, Massage & Aromatherapy may help Support you through many of Life's Challenges using Calming, Nurturing, Rebalancing treatments that may Aid the Mind & Body's own Natural Healing Processes. Some people this kind of treatment is just as appealing and beneficial as counseling or mindfulness – it’s a different way to process and work through things. Holistic Therapy can also be a wonderful support alongside talking therapy, to help soothe and keep you grounded and supported during your counseling process.

Don’t want to commit to a long period of weekly therapy sessions? You don’t have to.
I recognize that everyone’s needs are different and so I offer a flexible approach.
Some people need and want routine- a regular weekly counseling session for a set period of time – 8 weeks is the normal starting point – and that works for them. Other people want a longer break between sessions to allow more time for processing and self-care – or because they’re busy or don’t want therapy to be the central focus in their life (it doesn’t have to be that intense!) – and opt for fortnightly or even monthly sessions. Some people want occasional counseling as part of their self-care – with the flexibility to just book in as and when they want to. I recognize that everyone is different and so I offer a flexible approach. This means that you might start with a one-off session and decide that a regular slot might work better for you, or conversely you might start with regular scheduled appointments and then realise that it doesn’t work for you and that you’d rather just book in as and when you want to. And of course at any point you might decide to pause or stop therapy because that you’ve got what you wanted out of it for now, or to take a break for a while, or that it’s just not for you. It’s always your choice.

Has your life experience left you with a negative perception or even fear of counseling?
Whilst some find conventional therapy settings reassuring, many find the institutional surroundings, systems and attitudes – even the reception and waiting areas, can trigger memories of previous difficult experiences – whether from school, work, the health, benefits or justice system, even in our own home and relationships - anywhere we felt unseen and disempowered.
In counseling you need to feel seen and empowered, so as an alternative to the norm, I provide face-to-face Counseling, Mindfulness Support and Bodywork in a calm, gentle, confidential holistic therapeutic space that recognises your humanity and individuality. Whilst I am experienced in working alongside conventional mental health diagnoses, I am also comfortable working purely with you and your individual experience.
I always work Holistically – so that in finding a therapeutic way forward together, we will consider the whole of you - Mind, Body and Spirit.

My therapeutic style is Integrative – meaning I am flexible - using Person-Centered/Humanistic counseling, CBT, - or a mixture of approaches - according to your needs. I have attended extra training online with Dr Gabor Mate in his Compassionate Enquiry approach, Emotion-Focussed counseling and I have also had further training also in bereavement, OCD, Alzheimer’s/Dementia.
I work with clients experiencing a range of issues - from everyday stresses and tensions to sudden life changing circumstances, shock, sudden or long-term Stress, Anxiety in it’s various manifestations, Panic, Agoraphobia, Low Self-esteem, Insomnia, Depression, sudden and long term physical and emotional health issues, and other concerns effecting your mental-emotional-physical health and wellbeing.

Because I know that leaving the house can be difficult during sudden or long-term times of distress - and that not everyone is comfortable with online video or phone counseling - I can also offer a local home visit option for this in certain circumstances. Please contact me to discuss this.