Abigail Sykes

Welcome. I'm a fully qualified Therapeutic Counsellor, working with an integrative approach. Meaning I can draw on various skills and techniques, enabling me to tailor sessions to best meet your needs, keeping you at the centre of the work. I have clinical experience working within a cancer centre, and am currently working with 11-18 year olds within an educational setting. Alongside this, I work in private practice, where I can offer sessions either in-person or online to suit your needs.

I aim to create a relaxed, safe and non-judgemental space, for you to bring whatever feels significant for you during therapy. To meet you with empathy, curiosity, understanding, and a sense of feeling held throughout the process. I work with an awareness of the importance to have a space where you can share your innermost thoughts, feelings and processes with another human being, without the fear of judgement or a sense of trying to be fixed. Supporting you as an equal, to explore and navigate your own way to finding what works for you moving forward.

What is counselling and how can it help?

Counselling with me will provide you with the space to reflect on, explore, and make sense of whatever has been troubling you. Whether that be life events that have been difficult for you, or day-to-day struggles resulting in stress, anxiety or depression. It could even be something from the past, that is impacting your life in the present. Together, we can safely explore what is going on for you and how it might be affecting different aspects of your life, such as relationships, work, communication and both physical and mental health.

Talking to family and friends can prove difficult if they are somehow involved in the issues too. Having time to talk to a counsellor that is outside of the situation, can help you to better understand yourself, feel less alone, truly heard, understood and sometimes offer a different perspective. All these things can help you to gain a much clearer sense of your needs and empower you to find your own solutions along the way.

As a predominantly Person-centred counsellor, I hold a firm belief that you are your own expert on your life, and I will be here alongside you to offer that support and exploration within the safety of the therapeutic relationship. I won’t offer you advice, but rather work with you to explore your own resources and experiences at your own pace. Drawing on my integrative models of Transactional Analysis and Gestalt this might look like, talking, body work, exploring communication and relationship patterns, creative work, or looking at parts of self. 

Clients have reported-

•  Feeling truly heard and understood.
• The freedom to share openly in sessions, without judgement.
• Ability to set boundaries and self-regulate.
• Improved self-esteem.
•  Learning tools/techniques to support themselves.
• Increased self-awareness and understanding.

In-person sessions £55, Online sessions £45.
The therapeutic relationship is key to the counselling process, which is why I offer an optional free 20 minute, no obligation phone or video call. Where we can discuss what support you feel you need, what I am able to offer, and answer any questions you may have.

I'm a registered member of the BACP and work according to their ethical framework, as part of this I attend regular clinical supervision and CPD training. I also hold an enhanced DBS certificate.