Counselling & Psychotherapy in Bristol & Weston-super-Mare
A space to pause, breathe and be heard.
Are you feeling misunderstood or worn down from trying to fit in, feeling too much or not enough, experiencing wildly fluctuating emotions or intrusive thoughts?
Or maybe you feel crippling anxiety, persistent sadness, and feel stuck? Or perhaps you are experiencing a significant loss or life change, and you feel isolated, exhausted, guilty or numb?
You might be feeling that life is generally okay, but there's a subtle feeling that something isn't quite right?
However you are feeling, or whatever might have happened or be happening, I offer a confidential and non-judgemental space for you to explore your relationship with yourself and others, help you make sense of patterns and perhaps remove obstacles that may be getting in your way. You don't have to do it all alone. Having someone to talk to, outside of everyday life, can be enormously helpful. If you are looking for a counsellor who you can feel comfortable with, then I might be a good fit.
About me
I am a warm and down-to-earth, BACP-registered therapist whose life experiences, along with my own personal therapy, inspired me to train as a psychotherapeutic counsellor. I grew up near the seaside and, from a very young age, have been trying to make meaning of life.
Being a late-diagnosed woman with ADHD, and having experience of caring for a loved one with life-limiting conditions, means I understand what it feels like to be different. Although I work with a range of clients, I often work with clients who are neurodivergent, have high sensitivity or feel different or "othered" in some way. I welcome people of all genders, sexualities, diverse cultural backgrounds, and spiritualities, and am passionate about creating neurodivergent-affirming and anti-oppressive practice.
I believe the relationship plays a huge role in your experience of counselling, which means that I bring myself into the therapeutic relationship with you as another human being, sharing my responses, thoughts and feelings with you. This may help raise awareness of how you may be relating to and experiencing the world around you, how your past may be showing up in the present or lead to a deeper understanding of your relationships outside our sessions.
I work integratively, drawing upon a range of counselling approaches from my training, and sometimes weave in creative tools and psychoeducation. But my style and approach will be very much based on what you want and need from counselling, integrating counselling approaches that feel best for you. There is no one-size-fits-all.
What will counselling with me be like?
There is no right or wrong way to show up in therapy. You can swear, laugh, cry, sit in silence, or not know what you want or need; all parts of you are welcome, including the abandoned ones we may have been taught were "not ok" or "unacceptable" when we were younger. These parts often carry the deepest source of energy and potential for change.
I am trauma-informed, which means I pay attention to how you are feeling in your body as well as listening to your words, being mindful of a pace and direction that feels okay for you, whilst actively involving you in this process.
I understand how difficult it can be for people to take this first step, which is why I offer a free phone consultation, if you prefer, to listen and answer any questions you may have. It may feel like a relief to be able to speak to someone who understands and can accept these thoughts and feelings.
During our first session, we may explore what you are hoping for in counselling, how we might work together and if short or long-term counselling feels better for you. It will also be an opportunity to get a feel for whether we might be a good fit going forward.
Clients who have worked with me often say they have gained new insights and built a deeper connection to themselves, allowing them to find more clarity, calm, self-compassion and direction in their lives.
Get in touch
Feel free to contact me by text or WhatsApp on 07343 091426, or by email, if you have any further questions. If you'd like, we can arrange a complimentary 30-minute telephone call or an initial in-person appointment to explore if we might work well together, with no pressure or judgement from me. Choosing a counsellor is a personal choice which needs to feel right for you.
All contact is treated with respect and confidentiality.