Annie Vine-Tester

Welcome to my entry. In troubled times we can feel very alone and finding a counsellor who is right for you is important. We need someone we can trust, someone who is compassionate, warm, fully accepting of us, and professional. To be listened to, heard, valued, respected with sensitivity and care by another, is a rare experience and is central to my work.

In a relationship of this nature, you will find the conditions and support you need that will help you resolve your difficulties and move forward with your life. Together we can explore your concerns and feelings and help you gain new understanding and meaning, safe in the knowledge of confidentiality.  You may find this process helps you towards the emergence of your own answers, healing or growth - or simply a sense of relief as you share your troubles. In the process, I will give you all the support and freedom you need.

Sharing this personal world may, for some people, be difficult to embark upon but it can - and does, in my experience - make such a difference. Through counselling, people find many benefits. For instance:

• that they can understand and make sense of circumstances that have been confusing or painful, enabling them to let go of stuck thoughts and feelings;
  
  
• that they are experiencing an increasingly positive sense of worth, self-confidence, hope, inner strength;
  
  
• that anxiety and depression can lift;
  
  
• that they are able to make decisions involving changes in their life where this is appropriate;
  
  
• that they are able to conduct more satisfactory relationships at work and in their personal life;
  
  
• that their abilities to give and receive, to be creative, and to fulfil their potential are opened up.

My counselling practice
Whilst Covid 19 restricts us, I am working by phone or online using FaceTime, Skype and Zoom.

I do not charge for the first session.  It is an opportunity for us to meet one another and to explore, without obligation, the nature of what you are seeking. We will be able to look at how we can work together, and decide whether to continue. My concern will be to work according to your needs and at your pace. You may find it helpful to meet several people before you decide.

I can offer short-term work of a few sessions to address a particular current issue or I can offer more open-ended medium and longer-term work. Sessions are normally an hour long and take place once a week; we can discuss how this fits in with your life and your needs and be flexible accordingly if this helps.

Time-and-again it has been shown that it is the quality of the relationship that a client experiences that is the most important factor in enabling them to find resolution, healing and growth.  Building a safe, non-judgemental, empathic relationship will always remain central to me in my work.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Life changes and transitions
Loss

The initial session is without charge.
My fee is £35 per hour subsequently.
I am very happy to negotiate lower fees if you are financially more limited;  I would not want this to curtail your access to counselling and for this reason I try to keep my fees as low as possible.

As a registered and accredited member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, I comply with their Ethical Framework for Good Practice, have regular supervision, continuing professional development,and hold professional liability insurance.