Hello and welcome, I'm Anna.
I'm an Integrative Counsellor who counsels over 18s in person in Wiltshire (near Devizes) or throughout the UK online.
I understand that seeking counselling can be daunting. You're already against whatever struggles have brought you to my website and now you have the challenge of finding the right counsellor for you. Perhaps, you aren't even sure whether counselling is right for you, or what it even entails. If this is true or you want some ideas on how to find the right fit for you, please scroll down for more information.
I believe counselling has a place as a proactive commitment to our wellbeing, and nothing is too minor nor trivial to be the catalyst for investing time in your emotional wellness.
My welcoming therapy room in Rowde is private and calming and ideally located for clients from Devizes and surrounding villages, Calne, Corsham, Lacock, Derry Hill, Chippenham, Melksham, Bradford-on-Avon, Marlborough, Royal Wootton Bassett and Wroughton. The guarantee of free parking just outside the room means you can arrive for your session without the bother of finding and paying for parking.
I am happy to accommodate a hybrid approach to sessions, alternating between in-person and online as client needs require.
What is Counselling?
Counselling is talking therapy. The client and counsellor ringfence a time (the session) which belongs to the client- the focus is on them and their needs. Within this time, the client is supported and assisted to explore the issues or confusions which are stalling their happiness. These may feel unknown and elusive to the client at the outset, instead there is just a sense of knowing something isn't right. Life is being lived with the handbrake on, or you're always anticipating things going horribly wrong and overwhelming you. Or, the client may have a very clear sense of what they wish to bring to their sessions.
Using their skills and experience, the counsellor will attune themselves to the client, not only hearing what is said but what isn't or the way it is expressed. Just the simple act of saying out loud our thoughts and feelings can help begin the process of disentangling ourselves from them. The counsellor may ask some reflective questions to serve as a catalyst for your own deeper exploration. At all times, the counsellor will be attentive, working to your pace and providing safety and non-judgement.
It's not always just talking. Sometimes, counsellors (myself included) will invite clients to try other ways of supporting the process. I have various ways of doing this, whether it be with shells and pinecones, pens and paper, nesting dolls, wooden people or therapeutic cards. Importantly, it is only ever an invite-the client remains in control and can say they don't wish to work this way. Clients can be surprised by how accessible and effective it is to work this way, especially for those who tend to remain within a very cognitive zone and need something to help them move beyond this for therapeutic benefit.
The greatest factor in the power of your counselling experience lies in the relationship forged with your counsellor. It is vitally important you feel secure with them and trust that they are a compassionate and authentic ally to you.
Some frequently asked questions
You could, and it remains a valuable resource to you throughout your counselling. But, no matter how fair and well-intentioned, a friend will always have their own opinion on your circumstances. They may want to meet their own needs or even be motivated by ensuring the outcome which is most comfortable for them, either directly or as a caring witness to your situation. For instance, how many times have you heard 'please don't cry, you'll set me off'? It is said with love, but it is still not really prioritising your needs or helping you see the other options for your way forwards. Imagine if you are wanting to discuss your relationship- how easy would it be to tell someone close to you the most painful and exposing details of this? Would you fear they'd judge, take sides or try to excuse the behaviours you describe? Could your sister or brother remain impartial if you wanted to explore a family issue? Being supported by a professional means you never need to consider their feelings hearing what you have to say. It is your needs which are the exclusive focus.
Confidentiality is the bedrock of counselling. Everything you say to me will be heard and held with absolute commitment to protecting this. Friends may have a more nuanced or selective approach to this. Perhaps it isn't black and white and instead they decide certain details feel insignificant and so to share would be ok. But would it feel ok for you? Could it have important ramifications for you?
Support from a counsellor goes deeper than someone who just listens. A counsellor undertakes significant training and has to accrue a great deal of clinical hours before qualifying. And the training doesn't stop there! It is an ongoing commitment. Therefore, when you work with a counsellor you know you are being supported by somebody who is trained, qualified and equipped to not only help you peer beneath the surface but who will keep you safe as you do so
There’s no fixed or ideal number of session. It varies from person to person and will often depend on the depth of the issues you wish to work through. It is also dependent on how ready you feel to tackle things and whether you need to take a slower, more gentle approach. Sometimes, we find ourselves surprised by how daunting it can be and discover we need to be more patient with ourselves.
As with every aspect of therapy, there is no 'one-size-fits-all'. Instead, it is about meeting your own unique needs.
Knowing everything you share will be heard and held within confidentiality is one of the most liberating aspects of professional counselling which makes it different to support from friends and family. Having this confidence will encourage you to feel safe to share freely and fully.
There are some limited situations where the law requires disclosure of risk (e.g. certain child protection issues). If, for instance, a client tells me they are thinking of harming themselves in a way that I believe puts them at serious risk, or if someone tells me that they are doing something that could put others at risk, I may need to involve relevant parties. However, these examples are in exceptional circumstances and I would always seek to involve you in the process. Supporting you remains my key concern.
The relationship you have with your counsellor is paramount. You absolutely need and deserve someone who is adequately trained, competent and professional in every aspect, but above and beyond any qualifications they can rattle off, you need someone who will enable you to bring all parts of yourself to your sessions. Someone with whom you feel safe and invited to express every aspect of the kaleidoscope of emotions and experiences which combine to make the unique person you are. Think about what sort of counsellor you think you'd best work with. You may have previous counselling experience to inspire this but if you haven't perhaps try to reflect on previous situations or relationships where you've felt best supported to be authentically you and to be able to feel comfortable being vulnerable. What did this person offer you that created this security? How did they help you strive to give yourself what you need and deserve?
I am:
Patient I respect your need to work at your pace. This might be a little faster this week and super slow the next. That's ok.
Engaged I'm your ally. I want to hear all you have to say, I want to experience the emotions you want to share. I'm going to stand alongside you throughout this.
Committed I feel privileged to support my clients through some of their darkest and most challenging chapters. They deserve my commitment to their personal process and my commitment to ongoing professional development via numerous training dates.
Curious I want to understand how you arrived here, who you are on the surface...and who you feel below it. I'm interested in your perspectives of life and your life.
Empathic and non-judgemental I won't shame you or question your values and decisions. I understand we can drift from our sense of self and our own moral compass. It happens. It doesn't define you. It doesn't need to set the course of the rest of your life. I take a down-to-earth and realistic approach to this.
Gently challenging You haven't come to counselling to avoid whatever has brought you to find me. But, it can be hard to face things head on. I get that. So, where appropriate I offer gentle and compassionate challenge to help you push at the edges of your comfort zone always knowing you've got my support and we'll only ever do what feels achievable for you at that time.
Human. I'm not perfect, I'm real The same as you. We are flawed beings and that's ok. I won't scrutinise you or make you feel counselling has been 'done' to you, we are doing it together. There will be the two of us imperfect people in your sessions, each of us forging your way forwards with your needs and wishes always at the core.
Remember to ensure any counsellor you consider having sessions with is fully qualified and insured. Being a member of a professional body (such as the NCPS) isn't mandatory but does assure you as a client that the counsellor works ethically and that you will have access to a complaints process should you ever need it.
Therapy with me & my qualifications
I work within the Integrative model of counselling as this most closely reflects my passion for working in attunement with the uniqueness of those I support. By being trained in a variety of modalities I am able to tailor my therapy to your unique needs to help you work towards positive change.
The therapy I offer is underpinned by the Person-Centred approach to counselling. This means I believe in the ability of individuals to unravel their emotional overwhelm and pain when given compassionate understanding and a secure space to work towards this. I am mindful of how we may become distant from the person we feel is most naturally us, and how we can re-establish the security and surety which comes with feeling firm within our sense of our self.
I include a Psychodynamic awareness within my counselling, therefore as I work alongside you I will consider how your earliest relationships and interactions, and then your subsequent patterns in relationships, have led to you being your present day self including those parts which you experience as challenging or restrictive.
I am an accredited member of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society, demonstrating my commitment to working ethically and professionally.
If you'd like more details on my training and qualifications, please see the information below. You can also see here what training I have scheduled next.
Diploma in Integrative Counselling
Online and Telephone Counselling trained
Treating Chronic Stress
Dealing with Distress: Working with Suicide and Self Harm
Supporting Clients Experiencing Domestic Abuse
Attachment Based Therapy Approaches
Sexuality and Gender Awareness: Working with Clients who Identify as LGBTQ+
Managing Power, Control, Boundary and Attachment Dynamic with Abuse Survivors
Exploring White Privilege
Vicarious Traumatisation
Working with Anxiety- A Compassion-focussed Approach
Eating Disorders: Understanding research, presentations and treatment
Creative Counsellors Walk and Talk Therapy
Foundation for Infant Loss Training
I also hold an Enhanced DBS
Breathwork in Therapy
Working with Relational Trauma
What happens in sessions?
In your first session we will gain a better understanding of one another and what our therapeutic relationship will look like. Ahead of this session I will send you an intake form to complete- nothing too extensive but just the vital information. Doing this in advance means your first session will be as helpful to you as possible, not distracted by too many practical concerns. The first session will feel a little different to those which follow as I seek to understand some of the context of how you have arrived at where you are today by learning a little about your family, your support networks etc.
Our sessions together will always be at your pace, ensuring you feel secure enough to explore those parts of your life, present or past, which may be more comfortable to turn away from but which you feel need confronting.
Working in attunement with you, I will be able to help you gain a sense of clarity and control. You will be able to say those things which you felt could never be shared. This can be deeply empowering and freeing. Where appropriate I will pose questions to help prompt your self-reflection or to enable you to challenge long-held thoughts which have become burdens.
Sessions are yours to use as you wish and for you to bring your full self. I invite every part of your emotional experience whether this be rage, fear, despair or vulnerability. Whether you want to shout, swear or need silence I invite you to express yourself fully.
Some clients need or want something beyond what can be said, and find working creatively a wonderfully enhancing addition to sessions. This could be using natural resources such as shells or therapeutic cards. It could be nesting dolls or pens and paper. It is remarkable how effective this can be in gently inviting out that which has never before been spoken. We will explore this together, with care.
On my therapy table are always a few bits to keep your hands busy. My clients often pick these up just as soon as they are seated, finding it helps them settle into the session and engage deeply in their therapy.
I adapt and flex to enhance the therapy I provide each client. Some need the safety and nurturance of gentle attuned and empathic support, others would like a more robust and challenging alliance. We will develop this together, learning how I can best meet your particular needs. However we work together, it will always be founded on compassion, trust and non-judgement.
You might have lots of worries and concerns as you think about embarking on counselling. I know starting counselling can be a huge step and assure you that you will be supported by me throughout. If you have any particular concerns, please get in touch or schedule a brief chat so we can discuss these.
Is working online as effective? It is my experience, both in offering and receiving counselling, that it is equal to working in-person. For some the very focussed nature of communicating through your screen can enhance and amplify the experience, making it more profound. Having online sessions can be a very practical solution for those who might otherwise be unable to access counselling perhaps because of time or travel constraints.
About me
Outside of the therapy room, my love of nature has always been a powerful resource for my own mental wellbeing. It is from this passion that my counselling practice takes its name. Continuing a childhood habit, my coat pockets will mostly be found full of twigs, stones and shells. I love knowing that wherever I am I can plunge my hand into a pocket full of natural treasures connecting me to the outside world. Sometimes, these items will make their way onto my therapy room table for clients to enjoy or use within their session. I love breaking my 'no new books' rule and adding to my increasingly precarious tower of unread books.
Before counselling, I worked for over a decade in hospitality. As such I am well placed to support individuals working within this industry for whom life/work balance and workplace stress and fatigue are a common concern. I have previously volunteered supporting new mums and found supporting women as they adjusted to this significant transition something which I thoroughly enjoyed. This area of passion has continued as a thread through my counselling work, now encompassing all manner of life transitions which we may experience.
What issues can I help with?
The following gives an idea of the topics which I counsel on, but if what you want to discuss isn't listed please get in touch- it's possible it's something I can support you with.
Anxiety
Depression
Self-harm
Divorce
Grief and bereavement
Postnatal struggles and adjustment
Identity
Empty nest
Low self-esteem
Family issues
Loneliness
Menopause
Domestic abuse
Jealousy
Anger
Attachment issues
Divorce and separation
Fertility struggles
Career counselling
Isolation
Relationship difficulties
Confidence issues
Session information
Sessions are £50 and 50 minutes long. I work only with over 18s. If required, sessions can be block booked and invoiced for up to a month. This can be helpful for clients who are having sessions funded by their employer. Session fees are due at least 48 hours in advance of the session. Where sessions are cancelled with less than 48 hours notice the full fee will be incurred.
For those seeking in-person sessions, my therapy room is wheelchair accessible and has ample free parking. It is ideally located from clients throughout Wiltshire, including Calne, Corsham, Chippenham, Devizes, Melksham, Royal Wootton Bassett, Marlborough or Bradford-On-Avon.
I am happy to accommodate a hybrid approach to sessions where clients require this, offering flexibility to sometimes have sessions in-person and on other weeks online. This can be key for those who are struggling to find time for counselling.
Shall we talk?
There is absolutely no 'one size fits all' in counselling and as so much of what can be achieved in counselling relies upon the quality of the therapeutic relationship between counsellor and client it is vital that you feel I am the right fit for you. Therefore, I encourage prospective clients to have a free 15 minute phone call with myself to learn more about how we can work together.
During this time, I can learn a little about the support you are seeking and give you more details on the way I work. You can ask any questions you may have and simply get a sense of who I am beyond a photo and some text online. In essence, this brief chat is a no-obligations opportunity for you to test out how comfortable you feel with me.
Let's see how I can support you
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about how counselling works or how I can support you. You may like to arrange a time for a free, no obligations chat to discuss the reasons you are thinking of coming to counselling, whether it could be helpful and if I am the right therapist for you.
If you are experiencing extreme distress and suffering a mental health crisis please contact your GP or find urgent support via one of the helplines which are ready to take your call and offer assistance 24 hours a day, every day such as Samaritans 116 123. My emails are not constantly monitored so are not a substitute for crisis support.