"When someone really hears you without passing judgement on you, without trying to take responsibility for you, without trying to mould you, it feels damn good". - Carl Rogers
Counselling can offer a safe and supportive relationship to attend to your mental health and wellbeing
If you are struggling with your mental health, I hope to be someone you feel you can contact - on my practice mobile 07729 193629 or by email.
I can offer non-judgemental and compassionate counselling that values and empowers you.
Mental health struggles can be wide-ranging, yet you may be experiencing depression/prolonged low mood, anxiety, panic or fear or feelings of low self-confidence, anger, shame or worthlessness.
Or you may be battling suicidal thoughts and feelings, a sense of helplessness or despair or perhaps troubling voices, beliefs or memories.
Or you may be experiencing difficulties with sleep, decision-making, concentration, memory, motivation or wanting to be around others.
And stress (work, family, relationship or carer stress), recent or past trauma, loneliness or loss and grief may have impacted your mental health.
Whatever you're experiencing, I am here for you.
I can work with you for as long as you may need.
While I cannot prescribe medication or offer a diagnosis - this is the same for all practising counsellors, working together can help you relieve distress or stress (and loneliness), develop confidence and trust in yourself and increase your overall sense of wellbeing.
We can work together online or over the phone. If you're concerned about finances - such as being on a low income, I can offer a reduced fee for your sessions. Please do ask me about this.
I have been counselling since 2011 and volunteering for Rethink Mental Illness since 2015. In the past, I have been a Support Time Recovery Worker for Together for Mental Wellbeing and a Support Worker for female inpatients of an NHS psychiatric Hospital. I have also volunteered for the charity Solent Mind.
While I hold professional knowledge of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder and borderline personality disorder, I do not see a diagnosis as defining who you are or the life you're capable of living.
Judgement - including self-judgement, can lead to feelings of shame, weakness or failure, yet rest assured, I won't contribute to such feelings.
I believe in mental health and trauma recovery and the unique potential you have within you.
Counselling is a courageous step, yet I can help you feel at ease - I am down-to-earth, compassionate and non-judgemental.
Sadly, negative perceptions around mental health issues still exist, and this may affect the support you have available to you. But I won't judge.
I can help us establish a therapeutic relationship where you feel safe, supported and empowered.
You can talk openly with me.
And we can explore and reflect at your pace.
Offering you attentive listening, compassion and acceptance, you can feel genuinely valued, heard and understood - perhaps for the first time.
If you're experiencing suicidal thoughts and feelings, we can gently explore them so you can gain a sense of control, rediscover feelings of hope and move towards a more fulfilling life.
Sometimes, expressing (and connecting with) your feelings and emotions is challenging - we can experiment with the creative process if you'd like to, such as using art materials in sessions.
Life experiences can trigger mental health issues and also contribute to them - we can explore experiences that may be impacting you, such as:
Working through any underlying triggers or current stressors can be more effective for your mental health - it can bring about lasting change.
I can support confidence and trust in yourself, so you can make choices or changes you want to make and increase your overall wellbeing.
If you'd like to book a free consultation or ask questions before taking that step, please email me through this site or call or text 07729 193629.
Coping in a crisis
I am trained in crisis counselling and can offer you support in sessions, yet if you are feeling overwhelmed now, you can call or text a helpline, use the StayAlive app or contact an NHS service.
You do matter.
Talking can help.
Being listened to can make a real difference.
There is hope.
Samaritans
The Samaritans offer confidential emotional support 24 hours a day. You can call 116123 free of charge and also use their Self-Help app.
www.samaritans.org/
Shout
Shout offers a confidential text service 24 hours a day. You can text SHOUT to 85258.
giveusashout.org/
SignHealth
SignHealth is the 24-hour crisis text line for deaf people. You can text DEAF to 85258.
signhealth.org.uk/
StayAlive app
Stay Alive is a confidential suicide prevention resource for you or someone you know.
www.stayalive.app/
NHS Services
The NHS Advice Line is available 24 hours a day. You can call 111 and press option 2 for mental health support. In a life-threatening emergency, go to A & E or call 999.
111.nhs.uk/
Papyrus Hopeline UK
Papyrus offers a confidential helpline for young people (under 35's). You can call 0800 068 4141.
www.papyrus-uk.org/
Suicide Prevention UK (SPUK)
SPUK offers a supportive listening service. You can call 0800 689 5652 in confidence.
www.spuk.org.uk/
Switchboard LGBT+
Switchboard runs a confidential helpline for LGBT+ people. You can call 0300 330 0630.
switchboard.lgbt/
