Stella Goddard

I work face-to-face and on Zoom office hours.  I am at Nicholson House in Weybridge on Mondays and Wednesdays and at The Eaves in Godalming on Tuesdays and Fridays. 

I consider the rapport between myself and my clients to be very important. I have extensive clinical experience working with a range of difficulties and a diverse client base.

I understand that it can be difficult to acknowledge that you are struggling. If you are used to being able to cope well and then find that you are overwhelmed or stuck this can be very painful. Have you noticed that sometimes when you experience strong painful feelings you try to block them, deny them or anaesthetise them? You may say things like:

• I am fine
• I just need to be strong and carry on
• I don't want to be weak or for other people to think that I am weak

It is not weak to feel and acknowledge pain and it is not weak to ask for help - this takes courage and is a sign of strength

I offer a safe professional place to talk, be heard and have a chance to reflect at a deep level. I encourage potential clients to give me a call so that we can talk briefly about your difficulties and see if we both feel that we would like to meet and potentially work together.  If for any reason I am not able to help I will do my best to  suggest colleagues who might be appropriate.

Your narrative is very important and helps us to understand your sense of self, how you relate to other people and how you manage life's challenges with all of its complexities. It is important to process this with self-compassion.

The focus of our collaborative work is your choice and I work in a sensitive, respectful way at your pace. If you want to work on unprocessed distress from your past which is affecting your present we can do that.  On the other hand if your difficulty is about something which is happening in the present we can focus on that.

When you contact me by phone or e mail please will you let me know if you would prefer to come to my Godalming or Weybridge Practice or would like Zoom appointments. Do feel free to ask me any questions that will help you decide if I am the right professional to help you.

At our initial appointment I will listen to the reasons that you are considering counselling and what you would like to be different should we decide to work together. It can be helpful to consider what your best hopes from coming to counselling might be. I will also explain to you how I work and give you an opportunity to ask me any questions.

We will have regular reviews to ensure that you are getting what you need from your counselling sessions. I am sometimes asked how many sessions are needed. That is a complex question as it depends on what it is that brings you to counselling. What I would say is that counselling is an important commitment for both of us and the length of time could be weeks (6-12 weeks) or several months (or longer). I am experienced working both in a time limited way and medium to long term.  We can discuss this at your initial appointment and during the course of your therapy.  There is no obligation to continue for any longer than you feel is right for you.

My life and clinical experience tells me we are all more resilient than perhaps we think we are. I continue to be in awe of the human spirit and our ability to work through our pain and to be able to have renewed hope and vision for our future.

Loss, Life transitions, Boarding School Survivors, Feeling low, Feeling unmotivated, Procrastination, Feeling Stuck, Feeling Disempowered, Feeling Lost

Individuals:    £65 - 50 minutes
                     
Couples:        £75 - 1 hour

Payment is due on the day of your appointment before your session time please by Bank Transfer.

I encourage potential clients to call me so that we can have a brief conversation to see how best I may help you. There is no charge for this.

My training at Waverley Abbey College (validated by Roehampton University) included extensive personal and professional learning and development over 4 years. This has given me a desire to continue to learn and I attend workshops and read professional literature to increase my knowledge, understanding and skill-set. Meeting with colleagues regularly is also an important aspect of my continuing professional development. In addition, I see my Clinical Supervisor each month in line with the requirements of BACP, ACC and NCPS

I am also a Bupa, Aviva and Cigna Recognised Counsellor. If you are insured with these companies you will need to follow their protocol and then contact me with either a pre-authorisation number (Bupa) or policy number (Aviva and Cigna).  It would also be helpful to know how many sessions have been approved.

I am experienced in working with student Counsellors. I have worked with counselling students from Roehampton University, Waverley Abbey College, London School of Theology and Guildford College.

My training at Waverley Abbey College has equipped me to work with matters of faith should my clients wish to do so.

Clients come to me through my website, professional directories, (BACP, ACC, NCPS, Counselling Directory, Waverley Abbey College, Bupa, Aviva, Cigna) organisations, GP's, Churches, colleagues, current and former clients.