"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
Anyone can experience and struggle with mental health issues - it has nothing to do with a lack of strength or resilience. But it can be challenging (and even frightening) when you're feeling overwhelmed, stuck or lacking in support.
Being genuinely heard and supported when you are struggling can bring relief and create a space to nurture your wellbeing. So I hope you'll reach out - on 07729 193629 or via my contact form.
Changes in mental health, including mental health issues, can be wide-ranging and vary from person to person, yet may include prolonged low mood, worry, panic or fear, body image issues, eating issues, feelings of frustration, anger, worthlessness, low self-confidence or motivation.
And these are just some of the challenges you might bring to the counselling space.
You may be experiencing suicidal thoughts and feelings, a sense of helplessness or despair or perhaps troubling memories, beliefs or voices.
You may be feeling impacted by relationship issues or changes, the Covid pandemic, sexual or domestic abuse, carer or work stress, health or money concerns or feelings of loss and grief.
Or those closest to you may be struggling to understand how things are for you, or it may feel difficult to open up to them or unsafe to do so.
Whatever you're experiencing, it matters. And I'm here for you. You can talk freely with me.
We can work together online or over the phone to increase your overall sense of wellbeing. And if finances are a concern for you - perhaps you're on a low income, I can usually offer a reduced fee for sessions, so 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 on an NHS psychiatric ward. I have also volunteered for the charity Solent Mind.
I embrace neurodiversity, including lived experiences of Dyslexia, ADHD and Autism. I also understand that differences in thinking and ways of being may evoke judgement or a lack of understanding from others and feelings of social isolation, depression and anxiety. But I can offer you genuine acceptance so that you can be yourself with me and feel valued as you are.
While I hold professional knowledge of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder and borderline personality disorder, I trust you're the expert on your own experiences and how best to move forward.
You're welcome to call or text 07729 193629 or use my contact form to book a free consultation.
Counselling may feel scary - especially for the first time, yet I am a down-to-earth person and easy to talk to, so I feel I can put you at ease.
We can work together to establish a safe, trusting and supportive relationship so you can move towards a more comfortable or fulfilling life.
Offering genuine non-judgement, compassion and attentive listening, I can help you feel valued, heard and understood - perhaps for the first time.
If you're experiencing suicidal thoughts and feelings, exploring them together can bring some relief. We can also work to help you regain a sense of control and rediscover feelings of hope.
Working at your pace, I can support you in connecting with, exploring and expressing your feelings and emotions and building your self-compassion and self-care. A creative approach, such as using art mediums, can be used to support this process if it would be helpful for you.
If you're coping using self-harm, alcohol or street drugs, we can explore this and perhaps other ways of managing your feelings or memories.
I understand that life experiences can trigger mental health issues and also contribute to them, so we can explore experiences that may be impacting you - if you would like to, including:
Sadly, difficult life experiences and mental health struggles can evoke feelings of guilt, shame, embarrassment, weakness or failure. I will not contribute to such feelings, yet I can help nurture your self-worth, confidence and self-esteem.
Counselling sessions can be over the phone or online using Zoom, FaceTime or WhatsApp.
You can call or text 07729 193629 or use my contact form to book a free consultation.
Coping in a crisis
I am trained in crisis counselling and can offer support in sessions, but if you're feeling unsafe now, overwhelmed or worried about your mental health, please know that support is out there.
You can call a helpline, text a crisis line, try an online resource such as 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
StayAlive 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 your local A & E if you can 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/
