"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 offers 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 sometimes, it's a real challenge to get the support you need - even when feeling in crisis. And even despite the emphasis on looking after our mental health.
I understand the value of feeling heard and supported when you're struggling. Being unable to find or access support when you need it can be disheartening, frustrating and stressful. I hope you'll reach out to me - either on my practice mobile 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, feelings of worthlessness, panic, worry, fear, a lack of trust, confidence, self-esteem, avoidance, isolation, difficulties with sleep, concentration, motivation, an interest in things.
And these are just some of the reasons private counselling might be your next step.
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, loss and grief, sexual or domestic abuse or work stress.
Talking to friends and family may not have proved helpful for you, feel possible or appropriate.
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 you're facing social anxiety, agoraphobia, disability, chronic illness or caring for a family member or friend, working online or over the phone may be better suited to your needs.
If finances are a concern for you, we can discuss this between us - I can usually offer a reduced fee for sessions if you're on a low income.
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 ADHD and Autism. I also appreciate that stress, feeling misunderstood or perceived negatively, and a sense of having to adjust how you are to fit in with others may lead to mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. I can offer genuine non-judgement and connection. You can be as you are with me.
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 by establishing a safe and supportive relationship, you can realise your potential and connect with your inner resources.
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'm a down to earth person and easy to talk to, so I can put you at ease.
I can establish a safe, trusting and supportive relationship so you may find your coping, new ways of being or living life more comfortably.
We can work together to alleviate that sense of stress, overwhelm, loneliness, isolation, despair, stuckness, confusion, frustration or anger.
Offering genuine non-judgement, compassion and attentive listening, I can help you feel valued, heard and understood - perhaps for the first time.
Experiencing suicidal thoughts and feelings can be overwhelming, confusing and concerning. But you can share them with me to perhaps feel less alone in your experience. Regaining a sense of control and discovering or rediscovering a sense of hope is something we can work on together.
Working at your pace, I can support you with safely exploring and expressing your feelings and emotions and building your self-compassion and self-care. If you're coping using self-harm, alcohol or street drugs, we can work to understand this and maybe look at different ways of managing feelings or memories. A creative approach, such as using art mediums, can be used to support this process where it would be helpful for you.
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, life events and experiencing mental health issues can evoke feelings of worthlessness, shame, guilt, embarrassment, weakness or failure. I will not contribute to such feelings yet can explore them with you and help to nurture your self-worth, confidence and self-esteem.
Counselling sessions can be over the phone or online using Zoom, FaceTime or WhatsApp.
I am here for you and to empower you.
If you would like to explore counselling, you can call or text 07729 193629 or use my contact form.
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 and being listened to without judgement can make a real difference.
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/
