
Anna Potts
Registered Member MÍø±¬ÃÅ
Contact information
Therapist - Sheffield
Features
- Concessionary rates
Availability
I have availability on Saturdays at this location and on Tuesday mornings in Sheffield City Centre.
I am likely to have more availability mid-week in central Sheffield very soon - please ask.
I do not currently offer evening appointments. The rooms I work from are not fully accessible for wheelchairs; the central Sheffield locations have lift access. Please ask about home visits if you are a wheelchair user.
About me and my therapy practice
I offer space to share what is changing for you, so you can explore with my professional support how you want to be, how you want to live with this and / or what comes next for you.
Every person is different and I am open to hearing from you. I have worked long and short-term with a range of issues.
People often find me to be warm, friendly, non-judgemental and easy to talk to. My experiences and training equip and motivate me to support people who are going through change and finding it challenging, in particular if you are:
- in a life transition - becoming a parent, a new stage of parenting, (peri)menopause, ageing, career change or relationship change
- adjusting to or processing news of an autism or other diagnosis, for yourself or for a neurodivergent child or loved one
- a young adult - perhaps starting or struggling at university, adjusting to living alone or away from home, embarking on a career / education / training
- experiencing societal pressures or expectations - struggling with how you ‘should’ feel (about a new relationship, divorce, pregnancy, childbirth, promotion) or perhaps finding heavy the burden of wider global change
- leaving, joining or changing within a religion - you may have experienced coercion, abusive behaviour or your beliefs and spiritual identity may be changing
Counselling helped me to process changes I have been through. I understand that counselling can feel daunting or mysterious at first.
If you are seeking psychotherapy for depression, grief counselling, autism counselling, noticing changes in your mental health - or something else - I would love to hear from you.
An area of special interest is experiences of people who have had leadership or demanding roles within Christian churches that have ended in a way that is unresolved or painful.
Practice description
I am an Integrative Counsellor.
I have worked for Sheffield Carers, Sheffield’s Adult Autism and Neurodevelopmental Service, Barnsley’s Recovery Steps Service, The University of Sheffield’s Counselling and Mental Health Service and Space to Breathe.
Integrative Counsellors like myself value wisdom / methods inspired by a range of counselling approaches, instead of being trained in-depth in any one. My training focused on the importance of the therapy relationship and its adaptability to client needs; I might use a range of tools (invitations) in my work, depending on what you need and communicate to me. I pay close attention to the way we relate and allow this to influence the work we do together.
I am inspired and influenced by the Person-Centred Approach to counselling, and so endeavour to prioritise:
- genuine contact between myself and my clients
- striving to ensure clients feel understood and experience empathy from me
- unwavering acceptance of the client, without judgement
- my self-awareness and congruence (authenticity)
I am also influenced by theories about parts of self, such as the Internal Family Systems approach, and by creative practices. In a session, I listen, contribute, respond, ask questions and offer suggestions. I might or might not suggest activities that involve writing, drawing, metaphor, imaginative exercises and objects. I might share knowledge or resources. I am open to hearing about your preferences.
My first session
I offer a phone call free of charge (around 20 minutes) which, if we both wish, can be followed by a paid-for consultation session.
In that consultation, we look together at my counselling agreement, we can both ask questions and explore what you need, your expectations and experience, and any relevant risks. I have a set of questions I always ask.
At the end of this session, we can agree together whether to book in a regular time to meet for counselling ongoing.
During the time we work together, including in our first counselling session, I will periodically invite you to comment on your wellbeing and your feelings about / expectations for counselling to make sure you are getting what you need.
What I can help with
Anger management, Anxiety, Autism spectrum, Cancer, Child related issues, Cultural issues, Depression, Health related issues, Identity issues, Loss, Menopause, Neurodiversity, Relationships, Self esteem, Spirituality, Stress, Women's issues, Work related issues
Types of therapy
Creative therapy, Emotionally focused therapy, Integrative, Narrative therapy, Person centred, Phenomenological, Relational, Transactional analysis, Transpersonal
Clients I work with
Adults, Older adults, Trainees, Young people
How I deliver therapy
Long term sessions, Long-term face-to-face work, Online therapy, Short term sessions, Short-term face-to-face work