MBACP Counsellor
Hello and welcome. I’m Vanessa.
Thank you for taking the time to read my profile.
I’m a qualified counsellor and a registered member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
I understand that life can sometimes feel difficult, and it can be hard to cope alone. While most of the time, we are able to manage, sometimes the challenges can leave us feeling stuck, lost, overwhelmed, angry or unhappy. It’s at times like this that counselling can help.
Whether you are struggling with feelings of anxiety or depression, low self-esteem, grief and loss, relationship issues or any other challenges, I offer a confidential and non-judgemental space where we can talk in depth about your concerns.
Together, in a safe and supportive environment, we can explore the challenges that you are facing, enabling you to make changes or to accept past and present experiences.
I work with individual adults, over 18. I have experience working with a broad range of concerns. I offer both short-term and long-term counselling depending on your individual needs.
My training in counselling was integrative. This means that when I work, I draw on humanistic and psychodynamic theories, integrating knowledge, skills, and techniques from each modality to suit your individual needs.
I work to develop a supportive therapeutic relationship and to provide a space in which you can tell your story and reflect, in the hope that you might feel heard and develop greater awareness and new perspectives.
I am aware that asking for help can be difficult and that taking the first step to get in contact with someone can feel very daunting. I will meet you with warmth, work at your pace and provide you with a safe and supportive environment to explore your thoughts and feelings.
I understand that choosing a therapist isn’t easy especially if you are feeling vulnerable or overwhelmed. With this in mind, I offer a free 30-minute phone call. This is an opportunity to gently explore your concerns and see if counselling is right for you. We can work out if we might be a good fit to work together and whether you would like to book an initial session.
During the initial session, we’ll talk about what brings you to counselling. We will look at how the confidentiality of sessions works, any expectations, hopes or worries you may have, and you can, of course, ask me any questions.
Hopefully, this session will give you a good idea of what counselling with me will be like. It is important that you feel secure and comfortable with your counsellor and there is no pressure to book more sessions. If you decide that you would like to continue counselling, we can arrange to meet again.
Counselling takes place in planned, regular sessions. Sessions last 50 minutes and are usually once a week.
Some people find just a few sessions is enough, while others might come for longer. We can continue counselling for as long as you feel works for you. I work short-term and long-term.
We will regularly review the work and you can, of course, end at any time, although I would suggest working towards a planned ending to finish the work in a safe and professional way.
In addition to my private practice, I have the following experience.
Counselling young people aged 16-19 and staff members at a college of further education, covering a wide range of issues including anxiety and depression, anger, self-harm and suicidal thoughts, identity, neurodiversity, low self-esteem and loss of confidence, relationship issues, loss and bereavement.
I have many years of experience volunteering for a charity as a bereavement supporter helping individuals and families to process grief and loss, specialising in the challenges of a sudden death.
As a facilitator of local Anxiety & Depression groups, I have helped people to lower anxiety levels and manage depression.
I bring to my practice, experience as a tutor in an adult learning environment teaching languages to groups from diverse cultures and backgrounds and helping people to learn and achieve.
Fees
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