Hello, I’m Abbie

I’ve worked with clients from a wide range of backgrounds, each bringing their own experiences, challenges and hopes for counselling. Such as, but not exhaustive of:

  • Anxiety

  • Depression

  • Trauma

  • Relationship difficulties

  • Identity, self-esteem

  • Neurodiversity

  • Brain injury and neurological conditions

  • Grief

  • Significant life transitions

I believe that being truly heard can be the beginning of meaningful change. My role isn’t to tell you what to do or have all the answers. Instead, I offer a warm, accepting and collaborative space where we can make sense of your experiences together, at a pace that feels right for you.

As a person-centred counsellor, the therapeutic relationship is at the heart of my work. Where it feels helpful, I also draw on psychoeducation and practical therapeutic tools to support your individual needs.

My qualifications and counsellor necessities are:

  • Level 5 DipHE in Therapeutic Counselling (Person-Centred)

  • NCFE CACHE Level 3 Award in Counselling Skills and Theory

  • NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills

  • Formal Stage 2 Award in Counselling Children and Young People

  • Safeguarding Children – Level 3| CPD Accredited & Approved by the International Institute of Risk & Safety Management (IIRSM)

  • Neurodiversity training and experience

  • Individual Member (00989564) of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), working in accordance with their Ethical Framework.

  • Enhanced DBS checked for both adults and children

  • Professional Indemity Insurance

  • Registration with the Information Commissioners Office

  • Committed to ongoing professional development.

I’m a Level 5 person-centred counsellor with experience supporting young people and adults through a range of emotional and psychological difficulties. Alongside my private practice, I work as a counsellor in schools and colleges for the YMCA Trinity Group.

Counselling settings I’ve worked in:

  • YMCA Trinity Group in the Mental Health Programme Team

  • Secondary Schools

  • Colleges

  • Private Practice

  • Online Counselling Platforms

  • Disability Counselling Services

Psychodynamic Approach

Exploring how past experiences, important relationships and unconscious patterns may continue to influence how you think, feel and relate to yourself and others today. This can help bring greater understanding to difficulties that feel hard to explain.

Person-Centred Therapy

Creating a warm, accepting space where you feel genuinely heard. Rather than directing the conversation or telling you what to do, I will support you to explore your thoughts, feelings and experiences at your own pace, trusting that you are the expert in your own life.

Whilst my practice is grounded in person-centred counselling, I also integrate ideas from other therapeutic approaches where they may enrich our work together and support your individual needs. These include:

Cognitive Behavioural Techniques (CBT)

Exploring the links between your thoughts, emotions and behaviours. Together we can identify unhelpful patterns, gently question them and consider different ways of responding when they no longer serve you.

Mindfulness-Based Techniques

Supporting you to develop greater awareness of the present moment, helping you notice your thoughts and emotions with curiosity rather than judgement. This can encourage self-compassion and create space before reacting automatically.

Somatic Techniques

Recognising that emotions are experienced in both the mind and body. Gentle grounding, breathing and body-awareness techniques can help you notice physical responses to stress or trauma, supporting your nervous system to feel calmer and more regulated.

If you’d like to learn more about integrative counselling and what it can involve, you can find further information on the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) website here: https://www.bacp.co.uk/about-therapy/types-of-therapy/integrative-counselling