Shauna Aura

I'm Shauna, human first and counsellor second 🙏🏾 I have 16 years experience in private practice. Are you looking for a counsellor with a fresh and modern approach? Suffering with anxiety? Do you want to make some changes? Are you looking for someone warm, intuitive and approachable? Need someone professional, emphatic and Non-judgmental to talk to? Want couples counselling? Feeling anxious, suicidal or depressed? Confused, angry or 

I specialise in only working with females. I became a counsellor to be there for women who are feeling alone, or feel that there is 'no way out'. I believe that I am a counsellor with humility and total passion for my work. I am warm, intuitive and approachable. I know it can feel so difficult to make a first move with starting counselling, and for some of you, reading this, could be a huge step in itself. I am here to answer any questions you may have and take the process at your own pace. I hope you find what you are looking for here.

I am a qualified and highly experienced Humanistic Counsellor and practice in Worthing, West Sussex. I offer a safe confidential and non-judgmental therapeutic relationship in which you can explore personal or difficult issues that may be causing you distress.

Feeling anxiety, pain or anger and coping with personal difficulties can feel unbearable, isolating and debilitating, sometimes these feelings can be relentless and it is difficult to see an end to your anxiety or pain. You can often feel very alone. It is important for you to find someone to trust, who feels safe enough to help you in understand difficult feelings, and who is not directly involved in your situation. Counselling can help you think about unhelpful or unhealthy relationship patterns, or support your recovery from trauma or loss and help you see your way through and learn to cope better with any number of complex and difficult situations. Working alongside a counsellor will help you to feel supported and not alone in your journey.

I offer an emotionally supportive, safe and calming atmosphere I work predominately from a person-centered perspective, I often draw upon psychoanalytical theory as I believe this can be helpful in thinking about problems and distress in the present that can sometimes be related to earlier experiences or relationships in our lives. Understanding this can help you in gaining insight and clarity into present difficulties, relationship patterns, confusing feelings and develop new coping mechanisms.

A professional and insightful counselling relationship established and built upon over a period of time help you to increase in self awareness, and provide you with an environment that may help to facilitate change. Person-centered counselling practice is a 'talking therapy', I will provide the core conditions and gently encourage you to explore issues on a deeper level without you feeling criticised or judged. Counselling is an opportunity to have the space, time and relationship to consider how you think about and respond to life's events and situations, past or present. It is an opportunity to explore options and different ways of coping. The experience of sharing your thoughts and feelings with another individual can relieve your feelings that you are entirely alone with your difficulties. You will be encouraged to work at your own pace and explore at levels which feel comfortable and manageable for you.

Maybe you feel that you need some space and time that is just “yours” to find out who you are or who you want to become, where you are going and how you are going to achieve goals or work toward change, and move away from the demands or pressures of others, or the stress of life. Having counselling is a space for you to reflect and feel supported in transitions of change or recovery, a place where you can explore issues which may be preventing you from getting the most out of your life and fulfilling your potential.

I have a private clinic here in Worthing, which is safe, confidential and calming. There is plenty of free parking outside and really easy to access. I offer COVID-SAFE sessions and will provide any client who is visiting for face to face sessions with lateral flow tests each week.

Client Testimonials, used with full permission, please also look at my Instagram for more testimonials;

Shauna is truly one-of-a-kind. I’d never engaged in any counselling before and was very apprehensive, but Shauna put me at ease and made me feel safe instantly. In contrast to what I assumed counselling to be like, she creates such a friendly, cosy and safe space - even online - where every emotion or thought is valid and accepted (no clipboards or clinical-looking rooms here!) Shauna’s warm approach and amazing attention to detail has made me feel like we’ve faced my battles together and has prevented me from feeling alone in my most difficult times. I couldn’t recommend a therapist highly enough - especially if this is your first time.

When I first met Shauna she really pulled me out the darkness and helped shine a light on the truth of my situation and my sense of self-worth. She enabled me to find the strength to make one of the hardest but best decisions for myself I could of made and for that I really be forever thankful.

Shauna helped me a great deal when I was going through a lot at a young age and didn’t know how to cope with my emotions. She is an excellent listener and makes you feel at ease and safe to explore your feelings. I first worked with Shauna when I was a young teen and I had previously struggled to open up in counselling sessions but she was able to get through to me and quickly earned my trust. I would recommend Shauna to anyone who feels they could benefit from counselling.

I have turned to Shauna twice now, the first time in person and the second on-line and both times she has been equally warm, caring and empathetic. She has even gone to the trouble to message in between sessions to check in on me, which has made me feel so supported and less alone during some really difficult times. I know she is 100% on my side, is always rooting for me and has helped me see my own worth when I couldn’t. She knows when to sit back and listen and when to step in and help steer you when you feel lost. I whole-heartedly recommend sessions with Shauna. It’s the best self-care you can give yourself.

I originally contacted Shauna because of CFS (partly triggered by a past trauma) and related anxiety issues I was having. I was immediately relaxed by Shauna's warm, calm and understanding personality to the point where at times it became like chatting to a good friend, not to belittle the work done or the professional manor in which Shauna conducted the sessions - I was just very comfortable and at ease with her. Having now completed my counselling sessions with her I can highly recommend her to anyone with similar problems to me or indeed anyone experiencing a mental health issue. She used a wide range of counselling techniques and I have taken away many 'tools' that I can use whenever I face issues. Although she always claimed I was doing the work, her guidance and reassurance was key. I felt that her expertise in counselling was so beneficial to me that it has potentially changed my outlook of life for good.

Working with Shauna has been immensely supportive and reassuring. She has helped me move beyond some very traumatic events, by exploring them (at my own pace, when I was ready) and letting me make sense of my reactions to them. I have always felt without question that Shauna was there for me, whether my week has been great, devastating or indifferent. She is sensitive, intuitive and draws seamlessly on a number of therapy approaches, allowing her to help me 'heal' my past, deal with the present and give me the tools to cope with the future.

Shauna, thank you so much for everything you have done for me. I have been able to see things clearer and work through issues I have been burying for years! thank you for being warm, understanding and there for me relentlessly. i will miss our sessions but feel able to use the confidence I developed during counselling in the outside world. I will never forget you, Thanks again.

I contacted Shauna initially for some counselling after experiencing anxiety and difficulties in a close relationship. Having worked with Shauna over the period of nineteen sessions, I felt able to cope better with my emotions and how I conduct myself in this particular relationship. I have to say, it was the hardest thing I have ever done and therapy isn't an easy way out! Shauna was really supportive and I really felt she was non-judgmental and I felt very safe with her. I am still learning how to 'be', and this is ongoing for me but without my therapy with Shauna, I would not be half as calm and happy as I am now. I can fully recommend that anyone who is seeking therapy contact Shauna, I was really scared while looking for a counsellor but Shauna put me at ease right from the start, I will really miss her.

When I first contacted Shauna I was at rock bottom. Having a history of suicidal attempts and thoughts, I was stuck in a dark and scary place. I knew I needed some support. Shauna has been incredible. It felt like she always knew what to say when others didn't have a clue. I have been able to find ways to cope. I am alive and know I have reasons to be alive. I couldn't see this before. Shauna's support has been invaluable. She has been warm, safe and there for me when I have needed her. I have now ended my counselling and know that Shauna will be there if I need to go back. My life is totally changed since starting counselling, I can't thank Shauna enough.

Over the many months working together Shauna used a person centred approach to explore aspects of depression, suicide, self image, relationships, sexual issues, feelings of loss, and day to day coping strategies. She has also helped with my post traumatic stress disorder symptoms by working on creating a safe environment for me to explore my areas of trauma. Shauna treats me with great respect and care. I have nothing but praise for her and all she has done to support me. Her attention to detail and timing means I am always able to leave our sessions feeling safe. I am never rushed or hurried. Shauna has worked with me through the extreme lows of my depression, acted as my advocate during my period in psychiatric hospital and supported my personal journey, through artistic endeavours, to tell my story. She has helped me to realise that my experiences are valuable and that I too am valued by others.

Having worked with Shauna in counselling for the last nine months, I can safely say that starting counselling was the best decision I have ever made. Not just that, but choosing Shauna as my counsellor was the best choice I could have made. I have found sessions with Shauna absolutely calming, safe and I have felt able to talk over the most horrific things that have prevented me living a full and happy life. Shauna has helped me overcome some serious issues with self harming and suicidal thoughts. I have been able to address issues I had with my family and past relationships with Shauna's support. She has been kind, caring, gentle and shown me that I can feel in control and take counselling at my own pace. I hope to continue to move forwards in my life and I know that I can see Shauna again if I need to.

Counselling with you was really helpful. When I was struggling and alone in my darkness, your warm nature and reflective insight helped me through. I remember one particular time I was off work and anxious about going back, but after discussing how to do this I felt empowered to manage my anxiety. I was in a dark place at the time and I am not sure I would have got out of it without our weekly sessions.

Finishing counselling was almost as scary as the thought of starting... scary in a different way... scary in a 'I am facing the world' kind of way. My sessions with Shauna have helped me to face my issues around food and eating and weight and control. It has been hard. But truly brilliant. I can now say that I am in control of my life in a balanced and safe way. Shauna has been the best counsellor, she has been insightful, intuitive and gentle in her approach. Walking with me on my journey and allowing me to open up bit by bit. I will miss Shauna and the weekly sessions, knowing she is there for me no matter what. I now know, I can be there for me, no matter what. I am giving up my stabilisers... and riding free! Thanks for everything Shauna.

Please see my Instagram for more testimonials. 

I work only with adult female clients. I am able to work with many issues as listed but I have specialist experience working particularly with clients experiencing:

• Autism or ADHD 
• Suicidal feelings/ loss through suicide
• Workplace stress 
• Relationship breakdown  
• Infertility 
• Bereavement through suicide
• Self harm
• Post traumatic stress disorder and/or trauma
• Anxiety disorders and depression
• Obsessional thoughts and rituals
• Victims and witnesses of crime
• Abuse, in particular emotional domestic abuse/ coercive control
• Eating disorders
• Couples counselling 

I have 20 years experience in working with people with multiple complex needs, and 16 years working directly in Private Counselling Practice.

Whether you are experiencing difficulties with an issue listed above or a combination of a number of them, I am able to work with you to find a way through your distress.

Please note, I do not work with under 18’s. 

Usually, I work with clients on an open ended, long term basis, alternatively, I can offer time limited counselling focusing on one specific problem - this is generally for six to twelve sessions, this can be negotiated to best suit your needs. I offer couples counselling. When we have agreed what would be most helpful to you, we can then arrange a regular day and time each week to meet, as the counselling process needs a commitment to weekly sessions. I offer one to one, couples, online and telephone counselling. I offer Skype/ FaceTime counselling sessions for those who might find this more comfortable.

Each session lasts for fifty minutes.

The initial online consultation is free of charge and lasts 30 minutes. 

My private practice is at my clinic in Worthing, where you will be warmly welcomed. The room is calming, quiet and confidential. There will be tea!

As well as some daytime, I offer evening appointments. 

I understand that making the first move with starting counselling can be difficult, please get in touch to discuss how counselling with me can help, you can call me on 07908720169 or email me here.