Counselling in BS9

I am a fully qualified integrative counsellor working in Bristol and Aylesbury I know how hard it is to take those steps when looking for a counsellor, trying to decide which counsellor sounds like they will be right for you while not feeling judged or that your concerns are not worthy of talking about. Through working together I can offer you a safe, confident space to explore your thoughts and feelings and talk through any issues you feel you need some help with. I believe it is important to feel listened to so you feel you are being heard. I can offer you this while relating to you on a human level with warmth and empathy.

I have particular experience in helping clients who are struggling with a sense of what I call ‘stuckness’, in their life. Are you feeling trapped in a job that doesn’t inspire you to get up every morning? Are you feeling imprisoned in life’s routine and experiencing a sense of emptiness, but are unsure of how to fill that void? Are you quietly asking yourself ‘Who am I?’ You are not alone. I have worked with many individuals with troubles such as these. In a world that seems to be telling us how to look, how to act and even how to feel, it’s no wonder we can find ourselves feeling lost and confused. I can help.

I work in private practice and in Secondary schools with many mental health issues such as anxiety, self-harm, low mood, gender dysphoria, self-esteem and confidence. In this difficult world, especially after lockdown, there are so many teenagers struggling emotionally and it is affecting confidence, friendships, family life and school. They want to understand how to understand and manage these emotions in order to be able to process them and move forward. I also work with SEND young people, struggling to understand themselves and why they may struggle emotionally.

I am passionate about giving people the opportunity to live the life they want to live, instead of being hampered by negative thought patterns, beliefs and behaviours. Being qualified as person-centred integrative counsellor I work in a relational, intuitive way, giving you a safe, confidential space to be heard and understood. I see my work as walking alongside with you through crises and self-exploration to help you discover your inner strengths, competence, resilience and joy.

I wanted to give you a warm welcome and acknowledge your effort in taking this first step. It is not easy to start therapy; overcoming any fear you may feel, where to search, which therapist to choose… I would like to invite you to stop for a moment. Close your eyes slowly. Take a deep breath. How do you feel? Where in your body do you feel it? Sometimes life presents us with difficulties that can leave our world upside down. We can end up feeling anxious, depressed, angry, frustrated… Sometimes we just experience a lack of meaning and can’t connect with the life force that makes us feel alive.

I offer a respectful, warm and empathetic ear, together with a safe, neutral space to help you to talk, and work through any issues you may have. I am not here to tell you what to do nor give advice; I am here to help you explore and discover your feelings I offer a free 10-15 minute consultation on the phone as a way to introduce myself and give you an opportunity to ask any questions you may have about me and the counselling process. Sessions will differ depending on the mode of therapy we decide to use. We may work more in the here and now or, we may look at where issues have stemmed from in the past: I will be led by you.

Are you suffering with anxiety, panic, depression, stress? Having relationship problems? Struggling with low confidence or self-esteem? Are you angry, irritable, short-tempered, or generally unhappy? Is your mind full of negativity that just doesn't go away? Confused, lost, overwhelmed, unable to concentrate or make decisions? Perhaps you could benefit from professional help. Asking for help is sometimes hard to do - perhaps you see this as a sign of weakness or failure. Sometimes we can't solve everything on our own. It's OK to ask for help. Admitting you have a problem is a sign of strength.

If life feels like its falling apart and you feel lost, I can help you find your way back home reconnecting you to your mind, body and soul. Turning toward our suffering is not easy and you have already taking a very brave step by seeking help. I offer you a warm, open and peaceful space to gently explore the places in your life that feel disconnected and investigate the impact of this on your emotional, mental and physical health and wellbeing.

I work with a whole spectrum of needs and goals and find that therapy is all about the trust in the therapeutic relationship, once trust is built, the therapy really begins and the desired change can come. I follow your pace and respond to your needs as they arise.

What brings you to counselling could be any number of reasons: You may have experienced the loss of a loved one; perhaps your life is in such chaos you can no longer see the forest for the trees; or, you may simply wish to look at yourself and your patterns of behaviour in a clearer light. What I offer is a space for you to come to terms with your life, free of judgement, so that you can live it to the fullest.

Hello and welcome. It can be really hard choosing a counsellor when life feels so very difficult already, hopefully I can help you make up your mind. Are you feeling helpless, hopeless and disconnected from life?  Lonely, depressed or struggling with your relationships? Perhaps you’re experiencing anxiety, stress or post traumatic stress symptoms that impact you on a daily basis. Maybe you’re just feeling stuck in a rut and not sure where to go. Life can often feel messy, but no matter how big or how small your problem feels, we can work together to help you reach a more stable place.

Sometimes we just need a place that's ours; a space that can hold our "stuff", however painful, confusing or difficult to face. Sometimes we need someone to hold that space for us, safely and sensitively, helping us to keep putting one foot in front of the other, and reassuring us we're not alone. It can be really hard to reach out for support sometimes, even when we know we might need it, but whatever you may be facing, I'm here if you want to explore it.

There can come a time in anybody’s life when they feel that some support is required. Sometimes it feels difficult to know who to turn to. Do you feel challenged by life? Are you feeling bewildered about where your current path is taking you? Are you suffering following the loss of a relationship, be it through bereavement or relationship breakdown. Maybe you are struggling at work, home or university? Is life too confusing? Do you want to realise the power of your potential? I am here to offer support while you are working through life’s challenges - support which is confidential, open-minded, non-judgemental and consistent.

Are anxiety and depression getting in the way of you enjoying your life? Perhaps you're experiencing difficulties in your relationship, with your career, or with your opinion of yourself? You’re not alone. 1 in 4 of us will experience mental health difficulties in our lifetime. Fortunately, more and more people are now reaching out to learn how to overcome it. If you’re experiencing difficulties such as excessive worrying, sleepless nights, low motivation or unhelpful thoughts around “not been good enough”, “being a burden” or simply “not being able to cope”, then you may be among the many others who have benefitted from therapy.

Hello, I am Lydia, a Chartered Psychologist and Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society. For over two decades, I have been working in adult mental health; lecturing, researching and in clinical practice for organisations such as Mind. My work has been published in some of the UK's leading medical journals and I bring this knowledge to my private practice to support you. I have a PhD in Medicine, a MSc. in Health Psychology, a PgCert in Psychodynamic Practice & formal training in CBT, Existential Counselling & Single Session Therapy. I am also training in psychodynamic psychotherapy at Oxford University.

Reaching out for help can be the hardest first step. You may be feeling stuck or struggling to get through the day. I work with a range of difficulties: PTSD, low mood, anxiety, phobias, self-esteem, self-criticism, birth trauma, traumatic and difficult life experiences.