Counselling in Bristol

Hello, I'm Jenny, an accredited CBT/REBT therapist based in Bristol. I offer my clients a combination of a compassionate, respectful and non-judgemental space in which to share their experiences and problems, and an approach to therapy that is focused on equipping them to achieve their goals. I'm a big believer in people’s ability to change their own situations and I see my job as being to help my clients see the power and agency they have over how they experience their lives, where many feel stuck, helpless, or like 'victims of circumstance'. I'm especially interested in working with anxiety, anxiety disorders, and anger.

As a humanistic therapist I believe that we are able to live fulfilled lives, where we can connect with the full spectrum of feelings, understand our thoughts and behaviours, and have healthy relationships. Experiences that have happened to us, or sometimes to our parents, society or culture as a whole, can disrupt our ability to feel, think, be and relate. Talking about problems that we know we have or allowing space for them to emerge is one way of being able to feel alive again, finding the flow of your life rather than crashing about in our own storm or get dragged into others.

Whatever your starting point, therapy can help you to understand yourself and feel stronger in the face of life's challenges by building the sense of self. Coping strategies which were put in place in childhood can gradually be released.

I am a relational integrative therapist which means that I have been trained in a range of techniques such as Psychodynamic, Person-centred, Gestalt, CBT and Mindfulness. This means that I can work with people in a way that suits them and their current situation. I don't believe that people need fixing but instead that when provided with a non-judgemental environment and someone who can sit with difficult emotions, people can get to where they want to be and work through times of feeling stuck.

You might come to therapy because you are experiencing difficult or unbearable feelings, or perhaps you would like to understand yourself more deeply or find meaning in your life. There is no right or wrong reason to try therapy.

I believe, that regardless of where you've come from, what you've experienced, or what direction you wish to go, initiating the process of therapy could be the gift you give yourself that helps you to live your best life. Finding the right counsellor can be difficult and confusing so I hope this page brings all the information you need to help you with the process.

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 understand it takes a lot of courage for many people to come to therapy perhaps for the first time or even on each visit, I provide a counselling/psychological therapy service from my home in Westbury Park Bristol which is a safe space and where you will receive a warm welcome. I endeavour to shape the therapy to meet my client’s needs rather than just come from one theory (I do not believe in one size fits all); hence I have an eclectic approach to my work drawn from many years experience in many different settings.

I am a qualified Therapeutic Integrative Person Centred Counsellor. I offer one to one counselling for adults, in person, by telephone or on Skype, Facetime, WhatsApp or Zoom. I have worked with a broad range of people who have come to counselling with a wide spectrum of issues. I treat each person equally and offer the same core conditions to everyone. I can offer you a welcoming, safe, non-judgemental space where we explore your concerns. I aim to create a supportive and trusting therapeutic relationship with you, allowing us to explore together what might be troubling you.

Thank you for coming onto my profile and taking time to read my information. Initially I will help you identify whether a systemic/relational approach is the right one for you. I am informed by my training in Systemic and Family Psychotherapy, I draw on many approaches within the psychotherapuetic field, and will meet you with kindness and compassion to enable us to work together towards a change within either yourself, your relationship or your family.

Have you tried opening up about your concerns to a friend but you didn't feel heard, or the advice wasn't right for you? Does it feel like there is something you need to work on, but you don't know where to start? Well, maybe starting therapy is the right step forward. I offer you a safe space, where you can explore your strenghts and not only your 'issues'. Initially we will evaluate your needs and goals, your motivations towards change and how you relate to others and to your mind and body. I will often ask for your feedback, and therapeutic objectives are co-designed with you.

We all have times in our lives when we feel overwhelmed. This can impact on our relationships and other areas of our lives. These feelings may make it difficult to reach our potential or know how to progress. Counselling offers a reflective space which is helpful for building self-awareness in order to work through past or present life challenges. I employ a flexible approach which is informed by your needs. I draw on different theories to create a style of therapy which is individually tailored to you, and your aims. I hope to provide an open and accepting, and genuinely safe and non-judgemental space to reflect without fear.

I work with people experiencing difficulties such as comple trauma/PTSD, anger, anxiety, low self-esteem, inner self critics, stress/burnout & depression; including Veterans. These symptoms can be associated with traumatic events in childhood/adulthood; sexual abuse, personal injury, loss & bereavement, abuse, bullying & domestic violence, active service. I aim to help people recover from the effects of these stressful events on personal functioning & relationships. I also help adjustment to life challenges including health conditions & life transitions; adolescence, parenting, relationship beginning/ending & divorce, & retirement.

Whether you're feeling stuck or overwhelmed, I welcome you to get in touch. I offer a calm safe space where together we can find clarity on what has brought you to seek counselling. My authentic, warm and inclusive approach helps to create a non-judgemental environment. My core intention is to help build a supportive therapeutic relationship that promotes clients’ wellbeing and healing. I am an integrative counsellor with a person-centred approach at the core of my therapy. I hope to provide a dedicated time and safe space where we can explore and work through the struggles and challenges you are experiencing.

I am a qualified counsellor and teacher, I have studied Counselling and Substance Misuse at FdSc level and have a Diploma in Social Work, as well as having a wide range of work and life experience. My down to earth nature empowers me to be accessible, approachable and non-judgmental which is an essential part of a successful working therapeutic relationship. Aiding people to work through their own life challenges is my absolute passion and driving force behind Brighter Pathways Counselling.

People come to counselling for many different reasons. It’s a brave first step to make; to decide that you might need or want help processing your thoughts and feelings with another person. Counselling can often help us to understand ourselves better; reframe the way we experience ourselves and help us to open up to the possibility of change. As a counsellor, my focus is on the relationship that is co-created in a safe, non-judgemental space with clients. I believe that once we feel that we are being listened to and heard by another we can express our authentic self; the parts of us that may be hidden in everyday life.

I offer a safe space in which you can speak and be listened to without judgement or presumption. As a psychoanalytically informed counsellor, I encourage you to speak about whatever comes to mind and encouraged to follow your thoughts wherever they may lead. You may have a diagnosis or have your own terms for how you are suffering - we can start there. What we may find is that issues of identity and subjectivity soon follow. How you see yourself in relation to those around you now or in the past and possibly, in the future....

Hi, I'm Mel. I'm passionate about helping people with disordered eating, eating disorders and body image problems, as well as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and self-worth and more. I also offer body acceptance workshops and training for counsellors in disordered eating and weight stigma. I am a keen advocate for those in larger bodies who face stigma and discrimination, and I offer an inclusive, non-judgemental space. I also work with people who want to address their anger and/or abusive behaviours. I work in various ways to be adaptable to best suit your needs.

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.