Adam Newman

I am a qualified, integrative counsellor with experience of working with both adults and young people. Experiencing difficulties in life, while this may be inevitable, can be incredibly painful and isolating. My aim within my practise is to foster a safe, non-judgmental, and empathic environment, where you can freely explore your concerns and worries. Taking that first step in counselling and finding the right therapist can be a daunting prospect, so I will endeavour to make sure that you feel as comfortable as possible.

As an ‘integrative’ counsellor, I believe that a single therapeutic approach may not help with every issue that is being experienced, as each client presents with their own unique and individual needs. As such, my approach draws upon techniques from different models of therapy. Generally speaking, I adopt a primarily psychodynamic stance in the therapeutic relationship. In this space, we will look at elements of your past experiences that might be contributing to your present difficulties. By exploring these memories, we can gain a greater understanding of the influence they may be exerting on our current thoughts, feelings, and behaviour. To broaden this dynamic approach, from experience I recognise that, while we are all individual, existential concerns can be applicable to all and cause us unease: mortality, meaning in our life, and a feeling of isolation from the world or ourselves. I believe that self-awareness is a key aspect of growth and recovery, and this is where I also incorporate parts of Gestalt therapy, where we focus on the immediate here-and-now experiences; what is happening from one moment to the next. Understanding of not just the past, but of our immediate thoughts, feelings and behaviour, and our patterns of relating can help us gain further insight and new perspectives. Integration of various approaches helps to inform my way of working and to create a more individualized counselling experience.

Underlying this way of working, Humanistic (person-centred) aspects provide a foundation for all my work. Our work together is focused on you, and what you would like to use your counselling time for to gain greater insight and clarity. The relational part of the therapeutic relationship can sometimes be the most reparative.

I am welcoming of new clients. I believe that a positive and trusting relationship between the counsellor and client is paramount to therapeutic change, and so I offer an initial consultation to see if I am the right fit for you before we commence with therapy. I can offer both face-to-face and online counselling.

The first session

In our first session together, we will go through the counselling contract and discuss some important pieces of information, including the limits of confidentiality. At this point, we can begin by looking at your reasons for accessing counselling and crystalize any goals you may have. Furthermore, it gives you the chance to ask me any questions you might have and get to know me, and also decide if I am the right person for you.

• Concessions offered for trainee counsellors, which is priced at £30 per session.

I offer a free initial telephone or online consultation, between 15 - 20 minutes, upon which at this stage we can arrange a time and date for a first session.

I hold full public liability insurance, along with an enhanced DBS that is on the update service.

I work from Ask House in Bury St. Edmunds, which is situated off the A14 and about a 5 - 10 minute walk from the train station. Where sessions are held online, I am in a confidential space and can further discuss the expectations for this if necessary. The premises does have disabled access, however it should be noted that I am based on the second floor of the building and a lift is not available.

I have experience working with children/young people, however in my private practise I only work with those who are the age of 18 or above.