Donna Calway

There can be times in life when we feel that we are struggling and not able to cope. We may be going through a difficult life event or being affected by things that have happened in the past. At such times it may be helpful to speak to someone trained to listen within a safe and confidential setting.

As a therapist, I can help you to explore your difficulties and understand the emotions behind them, as well as support you to gain a deeper understanding of yourself and move forward in the way that is right for you.

I believe a trusting relationship between client and practitioner is central to therapy. Within the safe and supportive space afforded by that trusting relationship, I can support you in your journey to explore past and current difficulties that present a negative impact on your emotional wellbeing. Being listened to in an empathic and non-judgemental environment can be empowering and can help you to gain insight into your issues, or to view them form a different perspective.

I am a member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP), and registered as an integrative counsellor. I began my training in 2005 and completed my Master’s degree in 2010.
I am trained in the relational integrative model, which incorporates aspects of humanistic, psychodynamic and Cognitive Behavioural (CBT) therapies. I am also trained in Acceptance and Commitment therapy and I have an advanced certificate in couples counselling. Therefore, I am able to offer a therapy which is tailored to individual need. I also incorporate mindfulness, imagery, use of objects and drawing into my practice to enable relaxation and aid with expression of difficult thoughts and feelings.

I also work within the NHS as both a counsellor and a registered midwife. I have a specialist interest in and understand the complexities of ante and post-natal depression. I welcome both mums and/or dads who have struggled following difficult pregnancies or births.
I can offer either short term or long-term therapy, depending on your needs. I welcome both individuals and couples.

I offer counselling services in Monmouth and Abergavenny.

Testimonial from a client

"I had lost my partner, felt guilt about our relationship and his death, and had thrown myself into work and studying rather than allowing myself to grieve. I wanted people to look at me and recognise my pain.
I was struggling to cope, I was experiencing increasing episodes of anxiety, which progressed to panic attacks manifesting with physical symptoms of palpitations, numbness or tingling of face, tongue and mouth. It was frightening and becoming increasingly debilitating. I knew I needed help so I researched counsellors in my area. I read Donnas qualifications and experience and the rest of her profile and she stood out to me as someone I felt I could turn to for support. I also saw my GP and told him I recognised I needed help, but that I wanted to avoid use of medication and that I had already arranged to see a counsellor that I had chosen. I felt a sense of relief that I had taken a positive step forward in acknowledging to myself that I was struggling.
Donna made me feel at ease immediately. Having an independent person in a private and safe environment, to listen to my concerns was essential for me to break down the barriers I had created. Donna’s calm and supportive manner helped me to develop a trusting therapeutic relationship. My anxiety and stress was negatively impacting on my life, and having Donna help me to explore why I felt that way and how I could think about those things differently was essential to my recovery.
Donna enabled me to remove the barriers that I had created in my life and to find different ways of thinking about things that troubled me. She introduced me to mindfulness which I still practice regularly. I had to learn to have a work life balance again and to change my perspective from negativity to positivity. I make time for myself now and try to keep my working day separate from my home life. I feel a much calmer, more open and honest person since my counselling with Donna.
Donna helped me to understand that we are all human and helped me to stop being so harsh on myself. Something very interesting happened once I felt able to be open and honest about how I was feeling- many of my colleagues and friends shared their own struggles and I knew I was far from alone in my experiences and I felt supported, not judged"

Birth Trauma

Post Natal Depression

£50 per hour for individuals

£60 per hour for couples