The Practice Rooms has become recognised as a major centre for counselling in it's centres across England.
There are more than 150 counselling practitioners working independently here; each has their own particular approach to counselling so please check their individual entries and, where possible, their websites.
(T) after the name of a counselling therapist denotes Trainee.
What is counselling?
Counselling is an opportunity to explore in a confidential setting issues and problems you may be struggling with. Counselling covers the spectrum of human difficulties from loss of meaning to bereavement, relationship and sexual dysfunction, phobias to addiction, offering the possibility, within a confidential setting, of reflecting on the choices of the past and the possibility of different choices for the future.
What is the difference between counselling and psychotherapy?
According to the British Association of Psychotherapy, counselling aims to offer a neutral space for the patient or client to talk about problems. The act of talking about these with the counsellor often provides relief for the patient and can help them to look at things in a different way and to make decisions for change. Counselling tends to be supportive rather than challenging.
In psychotherapy and psychoanalysis the therapist will listen carefully to what the patient presents, at the same time paying attention to what is being communicated unconsciously, both verbally and in other ways, particularly in the relationship that develops between the patient and therapist. The term psychoanalysis is usually used to describe an intensive process in which the patient is seen four and five times a week.
National registers for psychotherapists and counsellors are maintained by three main umbrella bodies: United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP), British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and the British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC – formerly the British Confederation of Psychotherapists).
How can therapy help guide us through the perimenopause journey?
Neglect, like shame, is not often talked about but is a type of abuse as much as any other, writes Rich Hayden, as he suggests how his might showup in the therapeutic space…
Nurturing mental health and stress recovery by treatingourselves with more compassion and care, says Pablo Reina Martinez...
Real self-care can look like making hard decisions in the moment, and doing difficult, boring or un-sexy things, to look after your whole self, says Kate Ashley
Supporting the therapeutic process through reflective journalling can be so powerful, says Rebecca Murray-Gilling
Managing work-related stress is crucial not only for your productivity but your overall health and wellbeing. But it’s easier said than done, writes Misma Hemming as she offers five simple steps forward to balance…
Remember that the Q in LGBTQIA+ represents those who are questioning, as well as ‘queer’, says Kate Ashley, who offers support for anyone working through their sexual identity…
At emotional or challenging times, it's normal to find it hard to communicate, but sometimes anxiety can have a longer-term impact on someone’s ability to communicate. Dr Rachael Adams explains the difference, and when to seek help…
Society often perpetuates the notion that men should be strong, stoic, unemotional, and resilient in the face of adversity. Misma Hemming, from our Exeter and Bristol centres, considers taking a different approach…
Counsellor Kate Ashley, from our Bristol centres, offers a gentle guide to supporting yourself during times of transition...
Neil Saunders, a therapist specialising in anxiety at our Norwich centre offers some insight into the psychological elements of a healthy relationship with sleep...
This is the season of shifting sands and new things. Helen Gormley, who offers coaching and therapy in Bath, shares some simple ways to cope with the transition…
Solution-Focused Counsellor Catherine Mallorie shares her 5 tips on how to break old habits and succeed at your goals.
The societal and financial expectation to make Christmas special can end up with a pressure cooker bubbling to boiling point over the Christmas season, says Dr Rachel Adams, a counselling psychologist at our Exeter centre, as she shares some suggestions for a more harmonious holiday...
We are told every year that Christmas is a time for family. But what if family time brings about challenging dynamics that activate all your triggers and learned behaviours? Daiga Osina, a clinical hypnotherapist from our Bristol centre, suggests some ways to support yourself during difficult social situations…
For the eco-conscious amongst us, Christmas brings eco-anxiety more than ever. Abi Saunders, a counsellor from our Hove centre, shares a few simple ideas to help us be more mindful of the environmental impact of this time of year...
So much of our lives is loud and lit up with ‘things’. We avoid going into the dark because we are afraid of what we’ll find there, we avoid the silence because our feelings are too loud. But we need to trust that we can go into the dark and have the resilience to meet what truths we find there, says Emma Johnson
People are quick to play the blame game, especially when faced with challenges. I find it helpful to remind myself that I am the sum of every moment that I have ever lived, and this helps provide a little perspective, says Omar Sattur.
The inclusive space
Counsellors open their doors to anyone who knocks; but who actually knocks? Inclusion is about equalising access and opportunity and eradicating discrimination and intolerance, says Omar Sattaur
Maria and Chanden of Nexus Counselling explore how joy and contentment weave in and out of our lives, and how we can stay true to ourselves as we move through those moments.
Counsellor Omar Sattaur explores inner joy and contentment through the ability to learn to love change.
Matt Hyde reflects on having a happy place to get through challenging times.
Counselling Psychologist, Nicole George, explores complex PTSD and how prolonged, repeated forms of bullying can link to this condition.
Psychotherapist Stuart Hannah explores the impact of bullying, and how to seek help.
Kim Swinden likens Menopause to Autumn, a time of change into unpredictability that bridges between what has gone before and what is up ahead in the second half of our lives.
Counsellor Catherine Flynn explores the inevitable changes experienced during menopause and the support counsellors offer during this life change.
Jessica Barber explores spirituality in the connections we make with other people and unexplainable coincidences.
Taken from John Snowden's own blog page, John explores our egos and how letting go of our mind and tuning into our feelings can help free us from the demands and stress of the modern world.
Sarah Lane (Counsellor) explores our inner critic and how to be more compassionate towards ourselves to help improve our self-esteem.
Susan Malone-Hoyle what self-esteem is and how to improve it, including a Self-Esteem Inventory worksheet.
Anne Duke looks at dealing with the Menopause and what can help women during this transitional period.
Maria and Chanden of Nexus Counselling explore the importance of sex during difficult times such as Covid-19.
Ben Jones (Counsellor) explores the portrayal of men as hardened individuals who must strive to perform, the threat this can place on their mental health, and how therapy can help men explore deeper within themselves.
Hermione Brown looks into what addiction is, the difference between a habit and an addiction, and breaking free from addiction.
Psychotherapist, Hermione Brown, explores our mind - body connection and how we can listen to our bodies to gain insight into our stresses and troubles.
Counsellor, Martin Alderton, reflects on his client's experience of parenting in a pandemic.
In our first of this month's Parenthood blogs, Jo Lloyd looks at the feelings of guilt that parents battle with.
Pride and shame: two end points on a spectrum of acceptance of oneself regarding gender identity and sexual orientation.
Getting to know one of our practitioners, Katrina Allen who practices as a sex therapist and psychotherapist in Sheffield.
As part of a professional response to the current unprecedented crisis, the Help Hub are seeking qualified psychotherapists and counsellors to provide an online or telephone service to those in urgent need of emotional support.
We have therapists specialising in Counselling at the following centres....