Currently I am not accepting new referrals. Please look for counsellors one the BACP, Counselling Directory, or Psychology Today websites.
I am only working online at the moment but my usual practice in Wickford is within easy reach of Billericay, Brentwood, Chelmsford, Wickford, Downham, Rettendon, East Hanningfield, Rayleigh, Benfleet, Leigh-on-Sea, South Woodham Ferrers and Danbury. See the How to find me page for further details.
How are you?
When people ask you how you are do you always answer "I'm fine" even though you know you're really not? Do you feel like you are truly thriving or just existing? Have you experienced a serious illness, a bereavement, divorce, relationship breakdown, life stage transition, a baby, empty nest, retirement etc. Major changes and challenges happen to us all in life and sometimes navigating through them on your own is very difficult.
Why am I a counsellor?
I was drawn to become a counsellor because of how helpful I found counselling sessions when I was going through a tough time. It helped me get fresh perspective and understanding of my issues from someone outside my 'real' life. Opening up and exploring how difficult I was finding things and working out a way forward with their support was invaluable. In a confidential counselling relationship you can talk freely and openly about how life feels for you without worrying about the impact that might have on a friend or family member.
Would you like to learn how to take better care of yourself?
How would learning to be kinder, gentler and more compassionate with yourself impact your life? This is a key element of my work with clients which I find is a hugely important and very beneficial element of counselling. Improving clients awareness of how they look after themselves emotionally has a very positive impact on overall wellbeing.
Would you like to make lasting changes in your life?
Counselling can also help you begin to make real changes in your life. However, making these changes can often feel overwhelming and we can be held back by a sense of how we have failed to make and maintain changes in the past. Often we push hard for perfection and are too ambitious and punitive with ourselves; I must stop this... I have to do more of this... I should give up... Counselling can help you develop a gentler more compassionate relationship with yourself and this can lead to real lasting changes.
Why choose me?
I am a warm and friendly counsellor working from a calm, comfortable therapy room in Essex within easy reach of Billericay, Brentwood, Chelmsford, Wickford, Rayleigh, Leigh-on-Sea, and Basildon. I would love the opportunity to work with you, to help you begin to understand yourself and any difficulties you are experiencing; to help you heal or recover from what is troubling you. I am an integrative counsellor which means my approach as a therapist is flexible and I use different techniques to suit each client. I work with individuals on an open-ended basis or for an agreed time period, with the aim of enabling you to learn how to deal with difficulties, enhance your wellbeing and live life more fully.
Next steps...
Together we will explore your way forward. If this sounds like the right environment for you then please ring or text to book in a free 15/20 minute call. We will begin to discuss why you are seeking counselling at this time and book in an initial assessment appointment to get a feel for whether we could work together. Approaching a counsellor can be nerve wracking but be assured I know this and will try and make the process as comfortable as possible for you. I have links with several other therapists in the Brentwood, Wickford, Chelmsford area so if my practice is full I am happy to refer you on to other professionals I have worked closely with. Alternatively I operate a waiting list if you really feel I am the right therapist for you. See my FAQs page for further details.
My experience
As a counsellor I have worked in hospital, hospice and private practice settings with a wide range of clients who have experienced difficulties with :
My work as a therapist also includes experience of the following issues:
Covid-19 Update 2020
Due to the challenging situation we are all facing with Covid-19 I am now working with clients on the telephone or on a secure online platform.
My duty of care to my clients is first and foremost to protect their health. In order to keep my clients as safe as possible I won't be conducting face to face meetings for the foreseeable future. Although this changes the way I work with clients and may not suit everyone I must make this change to safeguard us all.
There is a growing body of evidence that online therapy can be just as effective as face to face. As you might imagine I have done a huge amount of research, training and practice into online therapy in the last few months. These are less than ideal circumstances in which to launch a new service but my wish to continue to support my current clients therapeutically during this time and to offer those that find themselves in need of support over the coming months the safest service is paramount.
If you have any questions about working online or over the telephone please do not hesitate to get in touch.
