Aideen Relph
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About me
Taisteal is the Irish word for journey or voyage. Life's journey can sometimes take us in unexpected directions, leaving us feeling lost, overwhelmed, stuck or uncertain about the way forward. At times, we may struggle to understand our feelings, find ourselves repeating familiar patterns that may no longer be helpful. Reaching out for support can feel daunting, but you don't have to navigate these difficulties alone.
My name is Aideen. I'm a qualified psychodynamic psychotherapist and a registered member of the BACP.
I offer a safe, empathic and confidential space where you can feel heard, understood and accepted. Together, we can take time to explore what is happening in your life, make sense of your experiences and develop a deeper understanding of yourself.
How I work
As a psychodynamic psychotherapist, I believe that our past experiences and relationships can shape how we see ourselves, relate to others and respond to the world around us, often in ways we may not be fully aware of.
Working together, we can gently explore these connections, recognising patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving that may be contributing to difficulties in your present life.
Sometimes, this involves exploring experiences or feelings that have been painful, difficult to understand or kept out of awareness. Although this can feel challenging, it can also offer opportunities for greater self-awareness, personal growth and a renewed sense of choice in how you move forward.
I believe that the therapeutic relationship is at the heart of our work together. Building a relationship based on trust, empathy and respect can provide a foundation from which to explore difficult feelings and experiences.
My approach is sensitive, collaborative and trauma-informed. I recognise that everyone's experiences are unique, and we will work at a pace that feels right for you. You are not expected to share anything before you feel ready.
Training, qualifications & experience
My Experience
I have hundreds of hours of clinical experience with The Counselling Foundation, which provides counselling to adults across Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire. This has given me the opportunity to work with people from diverse backgrounds who experienced a wide range of emotional difficulties and life challenges.
Alongside my counselling experience, I have over 16 years of experience working therapeutically in the social care sector, supporting children and families. My work has focused particularly on adverse childhood experiences, abuse, trauma, attachment difficulties, neurodiversity, complex PTSD and learning difficulties.
This experience has deepened my understanding of the lasting impact of early experiences and relationships. Together with my psychodynamic training, it informs the sensitive, compassionate and thoughtful approach I bring to my therapeutic work.
My Qualifications
BSc (Hons) Applied Psychology
Diploma in Psychodynamic Counselling
Advanced Diploma in Contemporary Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
Member organisations
BACP is one of the UK’s leading professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy with around 60,000 members. The Association has several different categories of membership, including Student Member, Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP, Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Accred) and Senior Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Snr Acccred). Registered and accredited members are listed on the BACP Register, which shows that they have demonstrated BACP’s recommended standards for training, proficiency and ethical practice. The BACP Register was the first register of psychological therapists to be accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA). Accredited and senior accredited membership are voluntary categories for members who choose to undertake a rigorous application and assessment process to demonstrate additional standards around practice, training and supervision. Individual members will have completed an appropriate counselling or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but they won’t appear on the BACP Register until they've demonstrated that they meet the standards for registration. Student members are still in the process of completing their training. All members are bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and a Professional Conduct Procedure.
Accredited register membership
The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
What might bring you to counselling?
People seek counselling for many different reasons. You may be facing a particular difficulty, struggling with something from your past, or simply feeling that something in your life isn't quite right.
Some of the difficulties and experiences I work with include:
- Anxiety, depression, stress and feeling overwhelmed
- Low self-esteem, self-doubt and difficulties with self-worth
- Relationship and family difficulties, including recurring patterns in relationships
- Bereavement, grief and loss
- Adverse childhood experiences and the lasting impact of early relationships
- Trauma, abuse and experiences of sexual violence
- Fertility difficulties and the emotional impact of infertility
- Life transitions, change, uncertainty and feelings of being stuck or lost
- Loneliness, difficulties with boundaries and a sense of not belonging
You don't need a particular problem, diagnosis, or even to know exactly what is troubling you to start counselling. Sometimes, it may simply be a feeling that something isn't right or needs to change.
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£65.00 per session
Free initial telephone session
Additional information
Sessions and Fees
I offer individual, in-person counselling and psychotherapy in Hertford, as well as online and telephone sessions.
My fee is £65 per session, although I may be able to offer some flexibility depending on individual circumstances.
I offer short-term therapy as well as longer-term or open-ended work, depending on your individual needs and circumstances.
Taking the next step
If you are considering counselling, you are welcome to contact me by email or telephone.
I offer a free, 15-minute introductory telephone conversation. This is an opportunity for you to briefly tell me a little about yourself and what has brought you to counselling, ask any questions you may have, and get a sense of what it might be like for us to work together.
If we decide to go ahead, I can talk you through my availability and the arrangements for your first session.
Taking that first step isn't always easy, but you don't need to have everything figured out before reaching out.
Taisteal Counselling - With you on your journey.
