Counselling

As an experienced counsellor, I offer a nurturing environment where you will be listened to, valued and accepted as you work through issues. 

I offer counselling for adults and young people, aged 13+.

Sometimes our ability to keep going can feel undermined by ongoing issues or something happens that can make life feel very challenging. So, perhaps you are at a place in life where you need to take some time to reflect and explore.

Perhaps you have experienced relational wounding, either emotionally or physically, as a child or in your adult life. And now you live with the pain of those wounds. Somehow you have been trying to keep going with these wounds and the memories that they hold. Counselling can be a space where you see how the wounds have or are shaping you. And counselling can also be a space where you can begin to care for the wounds and the stories that surround them. We can build a safe space where memories can be remembered and processed without being overwhelming.

From experience as a counsellor, I have become aware how profoundly the understandings that we hold about ourselves and others, impacts our thoughts, beliefs, emotions and choices. Exploring these areas can open up new approaches to life issues with a growing self-knowledge. We can also reflect on your physical responses to situations and explore the language of your body as you process experiences and seek clarity.

As a way of coping, perhaps you have identified habitual relationship patterns. In counselling you can explore how you work in relationships and what has impacted your relational style. This can help uncover aspects of yourself which cause you to feel and act the way you do. This growing self understanding can support developing reactions and responses that are understood and desired, increasing relational confidence and self-acceptance.

Counselling and creativity:

Sometimes finding words to describe experiences can be challenging, especially when something is very painful to talk about or we struggle to remember aspects of an experience.

If this is your experience, we can work together using a range of creative interventions such as art, representational objects like toys or work with drama to tell and explore the narrative you hold about yourself.

You may be a creative person and enjoy art and craft….and this can support your work in counselling. However, you might not think of yourself as artistic and be uncertain about engaging with this in counselling. Using creativity in counselling is not about creating a masterpiece of art – it is about using creativity to support the process of knowing yourself and your story more.

For some creative sessions, we could meet at an art gallery or museum, if you wish, where we can view artwork or historic artefacts and reflect on what these different images or objects mean or say to you. (Note: meeting at an art gallery or museum is offered to age 18+ clients).

Creativity combines well with mindfulness.

Issues we may work together on in counselling:

·      Anxiety; depression; developing emotional resilience

·      Experiences of trauma; relational conflict; domestic violence and close relationship abuse;

·      Developmental trauma and relational wounding from childhood/early years

·      Loss and bereavement; pregnancy and birth loss; family and relationship breakdown

·      Low self-esteem; negative thoughts about self and life; self-harming behaviours

·      Disordered eating; addictive lifestyles

·      Work and study pressures

·      Exploring spiritual formation

I am also experienced in working with clients from a range of cultural and religious backgrounds.

Client Testimonials:

“Philippa helped us through what was a terribly distressing and traumatic time in our son’s, and therefore our, life: her patient and gentle manner were so welcome; she did not “tell us what to do” but listened, as we tried to understand and process what was happening, helping us to think around the situation, giving ideas and advice as necessary. Her loving compassion is tangible.”

“I talked with Philippa online and even through the computer screen I felt keenly her strength to hold what I was saying, without rushing. She allowed space and helped me unpack stuff with gentle authority. I also saw in her face genuine empathy as I spoke and no judgement. Thank you Philippa.”

"Philippa came highly recommended to me and now I can see why! Her friendly and calming manner put me at ease and gave me a space to talk about difficult emotions and experiences. Together, we worked through my goals and Philippa's guidance and reflections enabled me to develop a greater understanding of myself. I have finished feeling happier, more confident and more aware of who I am. I would certainly recommend her!!"

"I would recommend Philippa as a counsellor - she is friendly, empathic, supportive and has encouraged me to recognise the significance of losses that occurred during my early life which has given me a greater understanding of myself."