Amelia Hodgetts

Why consider talking therapy?

Therapy provides an opportunity to explore all issues causing anxiety, stress, and concern. People often feel unaccountably sad, depressed or anxious and therapy can create an opportunity to express these feelings openly without judgement. 

People can come to a decision to try counselling therapy for many, many reasons. But one common thread is nearly always ‘feeling stuck’ in some way – and not seeming free to move forward in one or more aspects of life. 

What kind of stuck feelings? Perhaps in anxiety, feeling down, or with the pain of loss, being in a relationship that doesn’t seem to be going anywhere good, not being able to really ’get going with anything new’... or even just feeling life is a burden rather than an exciting opportunity. These feelings are all too common in a society rigged with images and media that are persuading us that we are simply not good enough.

Making a positive change in life often needs support, because it can be daunting, disruptive and a bit uncomfortable, even if you are sure it is the right thing to do. Sometimes it's not even clear what the change might be, only that there’s a nagging feeling that 'a change in something’ must the answer.

The support of family and friends can be helpful, but often it's only when you have a non-judgemental, safe sounding board, and you are asked ‘the right questions’ can you really organise and explore your thoughts and feelings. And then start to take control by making some meaningful decisions about what needs to be different moving forward if your experience of life is going to be less worrying/painful/boring/annoying, and more rewarding and satisfying.

So someone like me will listen to you, be kind, guide a conversation, challenge you, where needed, to help you to move your thinking on so you feel you can aim for and arrive at a better place - wherever you consider that better place to be. Even if that is just being able to get you to control and change your feelings rather than just having them run you.

It’s important that you work with someone you can feel comfortable with, so that’s why I offer a 30 minute assessment, free of charge, to help you decide whether and how you want to move forward.

So read on and see if you think I might be a good support for you, and make an enquiry. Or give it the 24 hour test. Either way, whether it is with me or someone else – one piece of advice: Taking action is a great first step in making positive change. Not taking action is guaranteed to keep things as they are.

More about me:

I'm committed, highly experienced (having worked in private practice and within the NHS for more than 20 years) and concentrate on using proven psychotherapy techniques to help people to overcome anxiety, depression, and other significant life problems. You can feel assured that the need to reach out for help at various times is perfectly normal and understandable – life can be really tough on us all sometimes.

Comfortably working on a short- term or longer term basis, I draw on many effective, proven techniques and focus on workability rather than a rigid approach. We are all unique and I have discovered that differing life situations and personalities call for a flexible approach to therapy.

In short, I strive for positive results for you, and with you.
My experience has meant that I have spent thousands of hours with hundreds of clients. Which means that I have covered a lot of issues and helped a lot of people – and helping people is what I really enjoy in life.

Anxiety, depression, stress, loss, problems within relationships, low self esteem and poor motivation these are common areas where I am experienced in helping clients find solutions and strategies that give them the power to move forwards - and begin to rediscover satisfaction, purpose and enjoyment in life.

My satisfaction comes from seeing results in others and getting feedback from clients as to how things have changed for the better for them in their lives.

I offer face to face, online or telephone therapy sessions.

I abide by the ethics set out by the BACP (British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists) of which I am an accredited member. 

I offer week-day and evening appointments. Sessions are £60 for a 50 minute  session for individuals and £80 for a 60 minute session for couples.

"Emotional wellbeing is just as important to us as breathing is!" Dr. Irvin D Yalom

"Your anxiety and fears are not you and they do not have to rule your life"        Jon Kabat-Zinn

Initial assessment session last for 30 minutes and is FREE

All subsequent sessions are charged at £60 per 50 minutes for individual therapy and £80 per 60 minutes for couples therapy

These are a sample of genuine extracts from letter and cards I have received from clients. These quotes do give an idea of the effectiveness of my approach and are a testament to the work they themselves have done with me: (I have kept these anonymous to protect their privacy)

"Thank you for all you have helped me with. It has been a bit hectic with everything going on in my life. Since our last meeting I have felt so good and positive about myself and my marriage."

"I would just like to say a big thank you for all your support and for helping me get my life back on track. Life has changed greatly for me, as I now feel able to deal with whatever life has to throw at me."

"Just a little note to say thank you for your help and support for the last couple of years. I honestly don’t know how I would have coped without you."

"Our sessions have really helped me move forward. Although sometimes upsetting they gave me the chance to think differently about situations. Yesterday we were at a family occasion and I was able to just deal with it with no anxiety."

"Thank you for helping me put some colour back in my life."

"I would like to say a big “thanks” for helping me feel so much better in the last few months. You have done a brilliant job."