Trish Benson

Welcome I’m Trish.

Thank you for taking the time to visit my website and learn a little more about the counselling and therapy I offer.

I am an experienced, professionally qualified therapeutic counsellor and a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). I have worked as a therapeutic counsellor for 24 years, including 19 years in private practice, offering both short-term counselling and longer-term therapy.

I work with adults experiencing a wide range of difficulties, including anxiety, depression, loss and bereavement, relationship challenges, life transitions, low self-esteem, stress and the impact of past experiences. My approach is warm, thoughtful and collaborative, and I aim to offer a safe, supportive space where you can explore whatever has brought you to counselling at your own pace. 

I believe that therapy works best when you feel safe enough to be yourself, while also offering the support and challenge needed for growth and change. My hope is that our work together can help you better understand yourself, navigate life's difficulties, and move towards a way of living that feels more manageable, meaningful, and true to who you are.

Based in Long Sutton, in the South Holland area of Lincolnshire, I work online with adults locally and across surrounding communities, including Spalding, King's Lynn, as well as with clients throughout the UK

Working Together at This Time

At present, I am offering sessions remotely via Zoom or telephone. 

For many people, online counselling provides a supportive, effective and flexible way of working, allowing us to meet from a place where you feel comfortable and without the need to travel. If this feels right for you, I would be glad to hear from you. 

I also appreciate that, for some people, meeting in person may feel like the right choice. I hope to resume face-to-face counselling in the future, although I cannot yet confirm the arrangements or timescale. 

If you would prefer to work face-to-face, you are very welcome to get in touch and register your interest. I would be happy to contact you when further details become available. 

I would also like to thank those clients who have patiently paused their work with me during this period of transition, as well as those who may be considering contacting me for the first time.

Thank you for your patience and understanding at this time.

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How I work

My approach is rooted in curiosity, compassion, and a belief that understanding what has happened to you is often more helpful than asking what is wrong.

My earlier professional experience included 17 years with the Prison Service, followed by work in both the public sector and charitable organisations, including The Matthew Project West Norfolk and Diverse, a sexual health charity within Cambridgeshire. I also counselled for over ten years at a local mental health charity in West Norfolk, The One to One Project. Over the years, I have had the privilege of working alongside people facing many different challenges and experiences, which continues to shape the way I approach my counselling and therapy work today. 

It can sometimes be difficult to put into words how counselling can help. 

Therapeutic Counselling offers a unique place, that is solely for you, a place to talk about what matters, to bring your concerns, discomfort, or the parts of your life you may have been quietly trying to manage, whether these are recent or long-standing. 

Our sessions provide a place where you don’t have to feel invisible. Together, we can gently explore what is troubling you and begin to understand it more fully.

Sometimes, we cope by putting difficult thoughts and feelings aside, which makes perfect sense. Why would we want to revisit something that hurts? Yet often, those feelings do not disappear; they remain beneath the surface until something brings them back into view.

Our conversations together provide space to pause, to be curious, and to make sense of what may be happening for you. 

There is no expectation to arrive with the "right words" or a clear plan. You are welcome exactly as you are. 

Over time, we may begin to notice patterns, recurring thoughts, or ways of being that feel difficult to shift. At a pace that feels comfortable, we can explore these together, helping you develop a deeper understanding of yourself and your experiences.

It is this growing awareness that can bring a sense of freedom, allowing you to move forward in a way that feels meaningful, connected, and aligned, even during challenging times.

How to begin

It's completely natural to have questions, uncertainties, or even some apprehension when considering counselling. Finding a counsellor you feel comfortable with is an important part of the process.

We usually begin with a brief telephone conversation. If it feels right to continue, we can arrange an initial appointment to explore whether working together would be helpful for you. 

If, after meeting, you decide to continue, we can agree a regular time to meet. If, however, we do not feel like the right fit, or if I am unable to offer the support you are looking for, I will do my best to help you explore other possibilities  

The web links below may provide helpful information about finding the right counselling for you and accessing counselling via telephone or online.

https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/online-counselling.html

https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/what-is-counselling.html

• Uk Volunteering Service
• Co -Facilitated mental health support groups to help manage loneliness and isolation
• Co-facilitated process groups for first-year psychology students - University of East Anglia Norwich.

I can offer reduced rates on specific days and times, so please ask for more details.

Individual sessions £50.00p per session

Couple sessions £65.00p - per session

Mondays – Thursdays between 8.00 am and 6.00 pm

Later evening appointments are possible remotely via Zoom

I attend monthly supervision to ensure I uphold my ethical responsibilities. I regularly participate in counselling seminars and workshops to ensure I continue to develop my understanding of specific difficulties and needs.

I participate in monthly supervision sessions to maintain my ethical responsibilities and ensure my practices meet professional standards. These sessions enable me to reflect on my work and discuss challenging cases to receive constructive feedback. 

Additionally, I regularly attend counselling seminars and workshops to deepen my knowledge of psychological theories and therapeutic techniques. Engaging with experts and peers helps me stay informed about the latest research and gain a deeper understanding of the diverse challenges faced by clients.