Counselling in Exeter

It takes courage to contact a Counsellor for the first time, are you feeling stuck or overwhelmed, need to make sense or gain clarity of your personal issues. As an experienced Professional Counsellor, I provide a safe, non-judgemental and confidential space. A place to explore the changes "you want". Building resilience and strategies to cope with relationships or home or work issues, such as stress, anxiety, depression, bereavement, low self-esteem, bullying, or stressful health challenges. Short & long-term therapy 9am -7pm + Sat mornings. A calm comfortable garden studio for face to face, or online work.
It takes courage to contact a Counsellor for the first time, are you feeling stuck or overwhelmed, need to make sense or gain clarity of your personal issues. As an experienced Professional Counsellor, I provide a safe, non-judgemental and confidential space. A place to explore the changes "you want". Building resilience and strategies to cope with relationships or home or work issues, such as stress, anxiety, depression, bereavement, low self-esteem, bullying, or stressful health challenges. Short & long-term therapy 9am -7pm + Sat mornings. A calm comfortable garden studio for face to face, or online work.

I am a Chartered Counselling Psychologist and I specialise in offering Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) I work in a way that is tailored uniquely for each client and integrate other evidenced-based approaches into my practice depending on your needs and working towards your goals together. These may include Compassion Focussed Therapy (CFT), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Mindfulness. I consider myself to be kind, compassionate and gently challenging and aim to create an environment in which clients can move towards changing their lives for the better, learning new skills & gaining insight.
I am a Chartered Counselling Psychologist and I specialise in offering Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) I work in a way that is tailored uniquely for each client and integrate other evidenced-based approaches into my practice depending on your needs and working towards your goals together. These may include Compassion Focussed Therapy (CFT), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Mindfulness. I consider myself to be kind, compassionate and gently challenging and aim to create an environment in which clients can move towards changing their lives for the better, learning new skills & gaining insight.

Hello, I'm Karen. If you are looking for ways to make positive changes and move forward with your life, I can help you. I'm experienced in working alongside a range of people, and have a particular interest in helping people who may have ADHD (attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder) or be on the autistic spectrum. If you feel that your emotions, thoughts and behaviours are not serving you well, then I will help you to understand them so that you can identify what needs to change. Using approaches to suit you, I'll support you to overcome your difficulties.
Hello, I'm Karen. If you are looking for ways to make positive changes and move forward with your life, I can help you. I'm experienced in working alongside a range of people, and have a particular interest in helping people who may have ADHD (attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder) or be on the autistic spectrum. If you feel that your emotions, thoughts and behaviours are not serving you well, then I will help you to understand them so that you can identify what needs to change. Using approaches to suit you, I'll support you to overcome your difficulties.

My own experiences of therapy have taught me that my own change and growth became possible when i could open and relax into a felt sense of trust and safety. I appreciate that if you are struggling now or have suffered in the past- to open yourself up to- and risk trusting another might bring mixed feelings of hope and fear. Yet, to take a step into the unknown is the invitation and challenge of therapy. I have been a client; in my experience the risk i took set out upon the adventure of counselling has been an acceptable one and the rewards are great.
My own experiences of therapy have taught me that my own change and growth became possible when i could open and relax into a felt sense of trust and safety. I appreciate that if you are struggling now or have suffered in the past- to open yourself up to- and risk trusting another might bring mixed feelings of hope and fear. Yet, to take a step into the unknown is the invitation and challenge of therapy. I have been a client; in my experience the risk i took set out upon the adventure of counselling has been an acceptable one and the rewards are great.

Hi! Welcome to Embark Exeter - Canine Assisted Therapy. You've made a huge leap towards investigating what's troubling you, just by being here and reading this. I see my job as helping you to "unpack" and explore your past and present, and look to the future. I can promise you that I won't judge you, and will treat you with care, sensitivity, compassion and honesty. I have a wealth of lived experiences that have brought me to where I am today, and I am passionate about the empowerment, healing and personal growth that the counselling relationship can bring.
Hi! Welcome to Embark Exeter - Canine Assisted Therapy. You've made a huge leap towards investigating what's troubling you, just by being here and reading this. I see my job as helping you to "unpack" and explore your past and present, and look to the future. I can promise you that I won't judge you, and will treat you with care, sensitivity, compassion and honesty. I have a wealth of lived experiences that have brought me to where I am today, and I am passionate about the empowerment, healing and personal growth that the counselling relationship can bring.

I commonly work with anxiety, depression, loss, family issues and low self-confidence. I particularly focus on people who are neurodiverse, whether with a diagnosis or not. I also work closely within the LGBTQ+ community.
People will often come to me at a crisis point in their lives and our work is to make sense of where they are now and how to move forward.
I commonly work with anxiety, depression, loss, family issues and low self-confidence. I particularly focus on people who are neurodiverse, whether with a diagnosis or not. I also work closely within the LGBTQ+ community.
People will often come to me at a crisis point in their lives and our work is to make sense of where they are now and how to move forward.

You may be feeling overwhelmed, and I am here to listen and support you to ‘unpack’ the thoughts, feelings and emotions that may have become painful, ignored, too heavy to carry, or silenced. Together we can work towards a better understanding of what has brought you here, and to enable the comfort and relief necessary to move forward. I welcome you to share what is going on for you in a calm, safe and confidential space. This is your space and your time to be heard.
You may be feeling overwhelmed, and I am here to listen and support you to ‘unpack’ the thoughts, feelings and emotions that may have become painful, ignored, too heavy to carry, or silenced. Together we can work towards a better understanding of what has brought you here, and to enable the comfort and relief necessary to move forward. I welcome you to share what is going on for you in a calm, safe and confidential space. This is your space and your time to be heard.

Agatha Penney MSc, PGDip, AccCOSRT, AccBACP
Psychotherapist, MSc, COSRT Accred
Verified Verified
Online Only
Sometimes we may feel that everything we experience in life is difficult, challenging or simply doesn't make sense anymore. The amount of pressure we need to handle every day combined with all these repressed and unprocessed memories of things we never dealt with can easily lead to many psycho-physical issues. We all possess physical, mental/emotional and sexual healths. When our physical health needs attention, we go to see a doctor. Sadly, we often disregard the latter. We think we can handle it all, where in fact we are getting weaker, less resilient to adversities and prone to negative feelings & reactions.
Sometimes we may feel that everything we experience in life is difficult, challenging or simply doesn't make sense anymore. The amount of pressure we need to handle every day combined with all these repressed and unprocessed memories of things we never dealt with can easily lead to many psycho-physical issues. We all possess physical, mental/emotional and sexual healths. When our physical health needs attention, we go to see a doctor. Sadly, we often disregard the latter. We think we can handle it all, where in fact we are getting weaker, less resilient to adversities and prone to negative feelings & reactions.

I am a Psychotherapist, Supervisor, & Group Analyst in Training with many years’ experience working as a Psychotherapist in mental health services in the NHS, and in drug rehabilitation services in West London. I was lead for the Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT) Service in Somerset NHS Trust, before moving to Devon to take up work as a Psychotherapist in a Specialist Therapeutic Community within the Personality Disorder Service. I worked there for 10 years, and then as Professional Lead at The Haldon Specialist Eating Disorder Service. I am undertaking further training as a Group Analyst with the Institute of Group Analysis.
I am a Psychotherapist, Supervisor, & Group Analyst in Training with many years’ experience working as a Psychotherapist in mental health services in the NHS, and in drug rehabilitation services in West London. I was lead for the Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT) Service in Somerset NHS Trust, before moving to Devon to take up work as a Psychotherapist in a Specialist Therapeutic Community within the Personality Disorder Service. I worked there for 10 years, and then as Professional Lead at The Haldon Specialist Eating Disorder Service. I am undertaking further training as a Group Analyst with the Institute of Group Analysis.

Life can be challenging, and sometimes these challenges can feel overwhelming. If you're seeking support or a deeper understanding of your experiences, counselling can provide a safe, non-judgmental space to explore past and present difficulties.
I believe our earliest relationships and past experiences play a significant role in shaping who we are today.
Life can be challenging, and sometimes these challenges can feel overwhelming. If you're seeking support or a deeper understanding of your experiences, counselling can provide a safe, non-judgmental space to explore past and present difficulties.
I believe our earliest relationships and past experiences play a significant role in shaping who we are today.

Hi! I'm Shannon and I am an Integrative counsellor. I offer a safe, healing, and inclusive space to explore any concerns or issues that might be affecting your day to day life. If you're finding that you are struggling to put your needs first, overcommitting, becoming overwhelmed, feeling lost, struggling with low confidence and self belief, then counselling might be something to consider. Together, we will work towards helping you understand yourself better and empower you to make changes so you can live a more authentic and balanced life.
Hi! I'm Shannon and I am an Integrative counsellor. I offer a safe, healing, and inclusive space to explore any concerns or issues that might be affecting your day to day life. If you're finding that you are struggling to put your needs first, overcommitting, becoming overwhelmed, feeling lost, struggling with low confidence and self belief, then counselling might be something to consider. Together, we will work towards helping you understand yourself better and empower you to make changes so you can live a more authentic and balanced life.
Meet Our Counsellors

We don't get wounded alone and we don't heal alone." Carl Jung. Are wounds from the past affecting how you are functioning in the present and your thoughts of the future? Our early experiences can create patterns of trust and distrust which affect how we are in our relationships with others and ourselves, as well as how we respond to trauma and stress throughout our lives on many different levels. However, whilst we may be shaped by the past I believe that we do not need to be trapped by it.
We don't get wounded alone and we don't heal alone." Carl Jung. Are wounds from the past affecting how you are functioning in the present and your thoughts of the future? Our early experiences can create patterns of trust and distrust which affect how we are in our relationships with others and ourselves, as well as how we respond to trauma and stress throughout our lives on many different levels. However, whilst we may be shaped by the past I believe that we do not need to be trapped by it.

I am an experienced, registered MBACP counsellor, and supervisor, based in Exeter, working with adults, young people and children. I work with a wide range of issues, including anxiety, depression, self-harm, bereavement and loss, and trauma. I offer a warm, safe, confidential and non-judgemental space for you to explore difficulties or problems from your past or present and look at how these maybe holding you back from living a more satisfying and fuller life. As a humanistic counsellor, I focus on building a respectful, caring and empathetic relationship with you and, through this, support you as you progress towards your goal.
I am an experienced, registered MBACP counsellor, and supervisor, based in Exeter, working with adults, young people and children. I work with a wide range of issues, including anxiety, depression, self-harm, bereavement and loss, and trauma. I offer a warm, safe, confidential and non-judgemental space for you to explore difficulties or problems from your past or present and look at how these maybe holding you back from living a more satisfying and fuller life. As a humanistic counsellor, I focus on building a respectful, caring and empathetic relationship with you and, through this, support you as you progress towards your goal.

Hello, I'm Rachael. I provide a safe, secure place, where you will be able to talk about your thoughts and feelings in confidence, without the fear of being judged. I know the thought of having counselling can be daunting, but I will help you to feel comfortable and relaxed. All my clients and their issues are extremely important to me, so there is no such thing as a client or an issue being ‘unimportant,’ or a problem being too ‘minor’. The sessions are all about you...
Hello, I'm Rachael. I provide a safe, secure place, where you will be able to talk about your thoughts and feelings in confidence, without the fear of being judged. I know the thought of having counselling can be daunting, but I will help you to feel comfortable and relaxed. All my clients and their issues are extremely important to me, so there is no such thing as a client or an issue being ‘unimportant,’ or a problem being too ‘minor’. The sessions are all about you...

I am a trauma informed therapist, using integrative therapy which is personalised to you using blended approaches, including (Attachment Focussed) EMDR, CBT and Mindfulness. I am interested in supporting you with depression, anxiety disorders, phobias, addiction, attachment trauma and styles, childhood trauma and difficulties, and processing difficult emotions like anger and grief.
I am warm and will always treat you as an individual, we can co-create adaptive and useful resourcing to support you to cope with struggles. I have NHS experience as a therapist, supporting many clients.
Feel free to reach out and I will always respond.
I am a trauma informed therapist, using integrative therapy which is personalised to you using blended approaches, including (Attachment Focussed) EMDR, CBT and Mindfulness. I am interested in supporting you with depression, anxiety disorders, phobias, addiction, attachment trauma and styles, childhood trauma and difficulties, and processing difficult emotions like anger and grief.
I am warm and will always treat you as an individual, we can co-create adaptive and useful resourcing to support you to cope with struggles. I have NHS experience as a therapist, supporting many clients.
Feel free to reach out and I will always respond.

Feeling stuck or overwhelmed? You might be exhausted from holding it all together and still feel like you're falling short. Maybe you're struggling with self-doubt, emotional burnout, or old patterns that keep showing up. I get it. Therapy with me isn't about quick fixes or endless pep talks. It's about real conversations, finding clarity and helping you step into a life that feels true to you. Together, we'll dig into the stuff that matters, at your pace, without judgement. If you're ready to feel seen and start making shifts, I'm here for that journey. Let's do the work that's right for you. Message me to book a session.
Feeling stuck or overwhelmed? You might be exhausted from holding it all together and still feel like you're falling short. Maybe you're struggling with self-doubt, emotional burnout, or old patterns that keep showing up. I get it. Therapy with me isn't about quick fixes or endless pep talks. It's about real conversations, finding clarity and helping you step into a life that feels true to you. Together, we'll dig into the stuff that matters, at your pace, without judgement. If you're ready to feel seen and start making shifts, I'm here for that journey. Let's do the work that's right for you. Message me to book a session.

I am a warm and compassionate Chartered Clinical Psychologist registered with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC). I have worked in mental health services within the NHS for over 10 years. I am based in Exeter and offer support to adults with anxiety and mood difficulties using a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) approach. I can meet with you face to face at my practice rooms in central Exeter or online via video call. My main approach is Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and I incorporate ideas from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion Focussed Therapy (CFT) and Narrative Therapy where these may be helpful.
I am a warm and compassionate Chartered Clinical Psychologist registered with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC). I have worked in mental health services within the NHS for over 10 years. I am based in Exeter and offer support to adults with anxiety and mood difficulties using a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) approach. I can meet with you face to face at my practice rooms in central Exeter or online via video call. My main approach is Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and I incorporate ideas from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion Focussed Therapy (CFT) and Narrative Therapy where these may be helpful.

As an experienced nurse and family therapist in CAMHS and private practice, I have worked with individuals, couples and families for over 14 years. I specialise in working with mental health, relationships, self-harm, mood difficulties, emotional dysregulation and eating and body image difficulties. Alongside working with families and couples, I have an interest in supporting clients who are neurodiverse, diagnosed or self-diagnosed, to live in an authentic and unmasked way that aligns with their values. I provide a compassionate and open space and embrace working in a neuro-affirming way to support you to feel empowered and heard.
As an experienced nurse and family therapist in CAMHS and private practice, I have worked with individuals, couples and families for over 14 years. I specialise in working with mental health, relationships, self-harm, mood difficulties, emotional dysregulation and eating and body image difficulties. Alongside working with families and couples, I have an interest in supporting clients who are neurodiverse, diagnosed or self-diagnosed, to live in an authentic and unmasked way that aligns with their values. I provide a compassionate and open space and embrace working in a neuro-affirming way to support you to feel empowered and heard.

When events in life are overwhelming we can feel frozen, scattered or out of connection with ourselves. Coping mechanisms which served us at one point can become redundant & damaging, leaving us stuck in patterns of self destructive behaviour.
When events in life are overwhelming we can feel frozen, scattered or out of connection with ourselves. Coping mechanisms which served us at one point can become redundant & damaging, leaving us stuck in patterns of self destructive behaviour.

I work mainly with adults from all walks of life, all looking to find a more meaningful and fulfilling way of living. Whatever your issues are, together we will explore why you are feeling this way, and work towards change. We will look at what has led to your current issues and what it is you are looking for in order to create those changes. I have a lot of experience working not only face to face but also online and via phone. There is always a choice of a better way of feeling but we sometimes get stuck and unable to find a way forward alone. I can help you to untangle how you are feeling and clear the way for a new path.
I work mainly with adults from all walks of life, all looking to find a more meaningful and fulfilling way of living. Whatever your issues are, together we will explore why you are feeling this way, and work towards change. We will look at what has led to your current issues and what it is you are looking for in order to create those changes. I have a lot of experience working not only face to face but also online and via phone. There is always a choice of a better way of feeling but we sometimes get stuck and unable to find a way forward alone. I can help you to untangle how you are feeling and clear the way for a new path.
See more therapy options for Exeter
How does your Counsellor compare?
Number of Counsellors in Exeter
200+
Average cost per session
£55
Counsellors in Exeter who prioritize treating:
90% | Anxiety |
89% | Depression |
84% | Self Esteem |
81% | Stress |
76% | Relationship Issues |
72% | Trauma and PTSD |
68% | Bereavement |
Average years in practice
8 Years
Top 3 insurances accepted
47% | AXA PPP |
45% | Aviva |
43% | Bupa |
How Counsellors in Exeter see their clients
82% | In Person and Online | |
18% | Online Only |
Gender breakdown
80% | Female | |
19% | Male | |
1% | Non-Binary |
FAQs - About Therapy and Counselling
How can I find a therapist in Exeter?
Search for nearby therapists or counsellors by inputting your city, postcode, or a provider’s name into the search bar. From there, you can filter providers by the issues they treat, cost, insurance, gender, and other factors to find providers who are well-suited to your needs. To navigate between locations within the same country, enter a new city or postcode into the search bar.
Learn more about how to find a therapist
Learn more about how to find a therapist
Is everyone in the Psychology Today Therapy Directory a licensed therapist?
Counsellors and Psychotherapists listed in the directory are members of the main professional associations, mainly the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP). Most Psychologists in the directory are accredited members of the British Psychological Society (BPS) and/or are registered in the Health and Care Professions Council (HPCP).
Providers whose professional membership or primary credential has been verified by Psychology Today are signified by a “Verified” symbol. Given that professional memberships are not a statutory requirement for psychotherapists and counsellors in the UK, certain qualified professionals or organisations may choose not to maintain such memberships despite possessing the necessary qualifications. They may be selectively included without the “Verified” seal.
Providers whose professional membership or primary credential has been verified by Psychology Today are signified by a “Verified” symbol. Given that professional memberships are not a statutory requirement for psychotherapists and counsellors in the UK, certain qualified professionals or organisations may choose not to maintain such memberships despite possessing the necessary qualifications. They may be selectively included without the “Verified” seal.
What’s the difference between a psychologist, a therapist, and a counsellor?
Counsellors, psychotherapists and psychologists can all provide counselling or talking therapy and have credentials and experience that enable them to do so in the UK. Psychologists have earned a degree in psychology and many are members of the British Psychological Society (BPS) and have completed a postgraduate qualification in a specialism. Counsellors and Psychotherapists are not required to have a psychology degree, but to belong to a professional organisation such as the BACP or UKCP, they are required to have completed a training course as well as clinical and supervision hours.
What type of therapy is right for me?
The type of therapy best suited to a particular individual depends on several factors, including their primary reason for seeking therapy, their preferred timeline (some therapy types last for a set number of sessions, while others are open-ended), and their personality and preferences—some may prefer a more structured approach. For many individuals, multiple types of therapy could provide a good fit.
How much does therapy cost?
The cost of therapy depends on a number of variables, including location and the therapist’s experience and training. On average, a therapy session in the UK could be between £30 - £60 when seeing a counsellor and £60 - £150 and up when seeing a clinical psychologist. If you have private insurance, your plan may cover some if not all of your sessions. You should contact your insurance provider to determine if they provide coverage for therapy sessions and to determine what, if any, requirements they might have in order for your sessions to be covered, such as a referral from your GP or medical specialist.
What are more affordable or low cost therapy solutions?
Many therapists offer sliding scale payments, usually on a limited number of slots, which consists in an agreement between the therapist and a client to pay a reduced rate. Therapists who provide such arrangements often consider the client's income or ability to pay, but the extent of the discount is ultimately at the therapist's discretion. Furthermore, while group therapy may have different goals and benefits compared to individual therapy, it can be a more affordable solution to address certain types of issues.
If you are struggling to access therapy due to budget constraints, you could also consider public funded mental health services. The NHS Talking therapies programme offers free of charge counselling for common mental health problems like anxiety and depression. The service is available to anyone registered with a GP, though you do not necessarily need to be referred by your GP and can refer yourself directly to a Talking therapies service. The service will provide different solutions, including group and individual therapy, for a limited number of sessions which are generally up to six.
If you are struggling to access therapy due to budget constraints, you could also consider public funded mental health services. The NHS Talking therapies programme offers free of charge counselling for common mental health problems like anxiety and depression. The service is available to anyone registered with a GP, though you do not necessarily need to be referred by your GP and can refer yourself directly to a Talking therapies service. The service will provide different solutions, including group and individual therapy, for a limited number of sessions which are generally up to six.
Is online therapy cheaper than in-person therapy?
Many therapists charge the same amount for online therapy as they do for in-person therapy—though clients may still find this cost-effective if it cuts down on their transportation costs. Health insurance plans often offer equivalent coverage for online and in-person therapy; indeed, in many places, they are legally required to do so. Text-based or on-demand therapy apps may be cheaper than traditional one-on-one psychotherapy; however, the practice may be less effective and is not likely to be covered by insurance.
Is online therapy a good option?
Therapy conducted online can be just as effective as in-person therapy, as long as there is a strong alliance between the client and the therapist. To find a therapist who provides telehealth services to clients in your area, click “Online Therapy” on the directory homepage and search by your city or town or your postcode.
Are therapy sessions confidential?
Therapists who are part of a professional organisation such as the BACP, the UKCP, or BPS are bound by an ethical framework that requires them to uphold a confidentiality agreement. Confidentiality is a crucial part of the therapeutic relationship and only under specific circumstances, such as when there has been participation in a criminal act or act of terror, or if there is potential or known harm to the client or others, will a therapist be obligated to break the agreement. These exceptions to the confidentiality agreement are usually discussed during the initial consultation.