No spaces available currently for new clients
Welcome to Tracy's Counselling Service (she/her)
Here to listen to you, to hear your story, to work through problems; or to just be with you. Supervision also available.
Current Availability
Face to Face Counselling
My Face to Face options are on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings from 6pm. These slots are currently full, so I am unable to provide this option currently.
Online / Telephone Counselling
My Online Counselling Service has more flexibility for appointments generally but currently there are only possible options on Thursdays between 11am and 5:30pm.
How can counselling help me?
Counselling can help you to explore challenges in life, access information and support change.
Relationship Issues
Whether you are coming for individual counselling or couples / relationship counselling; it can be helpful to have time to look at these relationships, particularly where there is a lot of conflict. I can support you to review these; consider if these are still meeting your needs and look at what changes are needed to address this. This also applies to the relationship you have with yourself, as often there is a human tendency to be very hard on ourselves, when this may not be justified. I will support you to be more compassionate to yourself. When looking at relationships I consider an attachment focus helpful and also an appreciation of the impact of trauma on how we relate with ourselves and others.
Bereavement and Loss
It can be really hard to manage when someone you love dies, moves away, leaves home; or when your circumstances change; which means having to adjust to a 'new normal'. I can help you to make sense of this, so you can grieve and are then able to move forward in your life.
Anxiety and Depression
Living with anxiety and depression can be really challenging and can impact you in terms of reduced life opportunities. This is often because of the need to avoid feelings of distress and the subsequence avoidance cycle that comes with this. I am able to explore this with you, consider where some of the feelings come from and look at ways of managing these feelings, so you can respond to these issues, in a more helpful way for you. I am informed by the principle of compassion around these challenges and support this in the work we do; whilst also linking the work around this to values you hold.
Health Issues
If you live with a long-term condition, then this may be challenging to accept and manage, and I can help you to explore this. Also sudden illnesses which are untreatable/incurable, can be absolutley heart breaking. I can offer emotional support to the person who is ill, and/or the partner/friend; who is also impacted by the anticipation of the loss of someone who is important to them.
Childhood Trauma
For some of us; childhood experiences have not provided all of the things we should have (ideally) had. This can mean that there are things that need to be considered as we become adults; as these previous life experiences, may cause challenges in how we form and maintain relationships as adults. In particular, things can surface when people become parents; so looking at our own experiences of being 'parented', can help with making parenting decisions in a conscious way.
Interested in Face to Face or Online Counselling with me?
Couples Counselling
Couples Counselling now available.
- Sometimes we can struggle in our relationships and feel unable to address this with our partners. This is where Couples Counselling can make a difference.
- In Couples work, as the counsellor, I can facilitate discussion and support you to talk to each other, about the stuff that matters; within a healthy, fulfilling relationship.
- This provides a place for you both to have a clear focus; which is supported by me as an independent person.
- This is of a very practical solution-focused approach to counselling and the 'client' is your shared relationship.
- Exercises in between can really help and you will both have an individual session each after we have met for the 1st session.
How do you know if Couples Counselling is appropriate for you?
You may want to explore couples counselling as a distinct intervention, where you both recognise that, there are issues that need to be explored, around the relationship you share.
- Maybe the way you communicate is no longer working and you are not sure how to find a way back, to be able to communicate with each other again.
- Maybe you are planning to settle down or want to commit more to each other; but want to explore some elements, that you anticipate might prove to be challenging, going forward.
- Maybe you have decided to have children and are struggling to adjust to what this change means for your relationship with each other.
- Maybe you feel confused about your feelings about the other person and/or feel uncertain of their feelings about you.
- Maybe there is a lack of intimacy in the relationship and you are not sure how to tackle this.
My 'Couples credentials' are gaining an advanced certificate in couples counselling, followed by a certificate in diversity in contemporary relationships and most recently have completed a foundation training at The Grove in working with psychosexual issues and have gained a professional certificate accredited at L5 by COSRT.
Supervision
Supervision for Counsellors and Trainee Counsellors
I am qualified as an Integrative Counsellor so am able to work with supervisees that are also utilising this modality in their work with clients.
Some common questions about counselling
How often will I need to have counselling and for how long?
I am often asked this question and the answer is, this will depend on you, your expectations and preferences, and the issue or need you have identified.
Traditionally counselling is arranged weekly, but I am aware from clients that this is not always what they want; or indeed feel they need.
I usually do not state a specific number of sessions that may be needed, when we start the process, or decide exactly how we will work, as I find this can change.
To support your evaluation, we will review the process together, at the end of each session and consider if you want to continue.
I feel strongly that this needs to be determined by you; potentially with guidance from me; particularly if we are looking at using a particular process.
I can facilitate this review, through you evaluating your experience in the sessions and from this, assessing if it is working for you and meeting your needs.
Other Common Questions people ask
- Can you make it go away?
- Can you make me feel better?
- Can you tell me what's wrong with me?
- Can you get my partner/friend to see they need counselling?
The answer to these questions is that counselling can help you to move forward if you want to.
I cannot make you better........ but I can help you, to help yourself.
I can help to shed some light on what is going on for you and by understanding yourself, you can regain a sense of control.
Counselling aims to empower you; so you can build more self confidence, more resilience and more self awareness and help yourself to feel a little better, than you feel right now.
Counselling cannot be done to you or anyone you feel may need it.
It can be a challenging process, so needs to be right for you and that includes, being the right time for you.
We may need counselling, but we also need to feel ready for counselling.
Are you in need and feel ready to explore??
Then please send me a message using the contact me form or email/text me.
Support services if you are in need of urgent support
What to do if you are in a crisis and need urgent support
Although counselling can be helpful, for a wide range of mental health issues, when you are feeling very overwhelmed, sometimes this is not enough, particularly where you are experiencing significant suicidal thoughts.
If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, have a plan to act on these, feel unable to keep yourself safe now and/or in the near future, then more urgent support is needed. If this applies to you, then reach out to the following for help and advice:
24hr support services:
- Call your GP surgery or if this is out of hours then call 111 and explain you require help now to manage your mental health and well-being and be clear you are feeling suicidal. If you have acted on suicidal thoughts/harmed yourself then call 999 to access emergency care or attend your local A&E department.
- You can also call the Samaritans free on 116 123 if you are feeling suicidal or if you are in distress and need someone to listen. You can also find The Samaritans resources on Facebook. You can also email jo@samaritians.org
- SHOUT is a 24/7 free crisis text service. Text SHOUT 85258 https://giveusashout.org/
Other useful support you can access online:
- Mind The Mental Health Charity have a range of information about mental health and mental illness as well as advice covering a wide range of issues. They also have blogs and people share their experiences, which can be helpful if you are feeling quite alone and/or isolated. They can be called on 0300 123 3393. They also have an Online Community that can be joined, to access peer support. Visit their website for more information at: https://www.mind.org.uk/
- If you are under 35 and are struggling with suicidal feelings and/or emotional distress then you view this website which has lots of information and resources: Papyrus https://www.papyrus-uk.org Helpline and an email service is open 24/7: https://www.papyrus-uk.org/papyrus-HOPELINE247/
- If you are under 25 then The Mix is a useful website where you can find some information about their support services and online activity. They also have a twitter feed. https://www.themix.org.uk/get-support
- For men there is the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) which can offer support. Open from 5pm-midnight every day. Call 0800 585858 or visit the website at: https://www.thecalmzone.net/
- For bereavement support you can contact the Cruse National Helpline on 0808 8081677 or go to their webpage: https://www.cruse.org.uk/
Other useful websites for information and support:
- Harmless www.harmless.org.uk is a user led organisation that provides a range of services about self-harm and suicide prevention including support, information, training and consultancy to people who self-harm, their friends and families and professionals and those at risk of suicide. Harmless was set up by people who understand these issues and at the heart of our service is a real sense of hope. We know that with the right support and help life can get better.
- Beat | The UK's Eating Disorder Charity: https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.ukThis has resources, a helpline and online forums.
- Family Lives: www.familylives.org.ukSupport and advice available, from the website or from calling the confidential helpline on 0808 800 2222. ‘You can contact us about any family issue, big or small. We listen, support and never judge’.
- Anxiety UK: Helpline: 03444 775 774 | Text support: 07537 416 905 (open Mon-Fri 09:30-17:30) https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/
- The Compassionate Friends Website - Supporting bereaved parents and their families: https://www.tcf.org.uk/
