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I normally work on weekdays.

Some possibility of late afternoon/early evening on Mondays and Wednesdays.

I'm Helen, an experienced counsellor, offering online therapy. Therapy with me is a chance to unload some of the burden and to understand more about yourself and your relationships. Together, we can explore whatever difficulties and emotions you're struggling with, however overwhelming and confusing they feel.

I offer a caring, supportive and non-judgemental professional relationship where we will normally look in depth at your own experience, including things that have happened in your life and their possible influence on you. Our sessions together can help you to feel differently about whatever it is that's troubling you, perhaps more at ease with yourself and able to move forward.

You are bringing your own unique experience and concerns. Perhaps you can identify the possible cause – maybe a life change, bereavement or other loss, or challenges in your relationships or at work. Perhaps, it’s more about the emotional distress or feelings of anger that have built up over time for whatever reason. 

We are complicated beings. We often don't know why we might feel sad, confused or stuck; and the anxiety, trauma or difficulties you may be struggling with often don't fall neatly into standard website categories. Please do ask for an initial call so that we discuss a little of your situation and how therapy with myself can help.

I draw on a depth and range of experience of adult clients and of the diversity of anxieties and issues that may affect us as human beings in our world. My experience includes working in both community and private practice, and also in providing fixed term counselling to NHS funded clients referred by GPs. Alongside, I've facilitated groups for a Mental Health Charity, including with Hoarding and with various disorders, for more than 10 years. Before this, I had developed life skills and knowledge from an earlier (non-counselling) career. I bring this wider context to my insights, including on work related issues, redundancy and stress.

I generally offer weekly sessions (each 1 hour) - normally open ended but also on a short term/fixed basis (usually min 6 sessions) - depending on our discussing your needs and wishes. 

As an experienced professional, I draw on various approaches and recognise your needs may change from week to week.   At each session, I'll be listening for how it is for you. This might lead us to your thoughts and feelings (past and present), perhaps noticing recurring patterns or behaviours and their possible effects on you and your relationships.  

Sometimes, we may look in depth at your experiences and sometimes we may focus more on managing things now, your well-being and building self-esteem. This can include new strategies for coping and I may also draw on CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) principles where helpful.

You are very welcome to contact me just for an initial call so that we can both get a sense of things, including if you are unsure about working through video. 

I hope you'll find me approachable and understanding from the start.  Sharing inner thoughts and feelings can be very hard and there's no pressure from me to go faster than you feel able. After our call, you can decide whether we have an initial session.

I offer a telephone call for us to decide whether to have an initial session. This is normally 15 to 20 mins.

Sessions are by video and each 1 hour.  I occasionally offer sessions by telephone. 

The first session can be a little longer to be sure we have time to cover introductory questions and to discuss your needs and your  expectations from counselling. There is no commitment to continue. 

I charge my normal weekly rate for the first session,

To increase the affordability of therapy, I may be able to offer some cost reduction for longer term counselling.