Alison Thorpe, Counsellor (MBACP)

About me

Are you trying to cope with anxiety, depression, low self esteem, overwhelming feelings or experiences, or feeling stuck in life? I’m a warm and approachable counsellor, offering sensitive, listening and support so you feel heard and understood. We can work together to explore what’s going on for you and find ways forward.

You may be seeking counselling because of something you can name - depression, anxiety, panic attacks, self-esteem, loneliness, or painful childhood experiences, trauma and PTSD, bereavement, work or relationship issues, or something that’s happened to you that you want to get help with. Sometimes what we are experiencing is much harder to put into words, eg feeling very stuck in life or feeling that life has lost meaning. I offer you a supportive space to explore what seems unclear or doesn't seem to make sense but is causing you stress or unhappiness.

Change and feeling better happens when we take time to hear ourselves, and begin to find ways forward that are right for us. My experience is that this exploration happens best, or easiest, in a safe, supportive and non-judgemental space. Previous clients have said they were able to talk about shameful or embarrassing or traumatic experiences with me, and find relief. One of my primary concerns is to provide a safe space for you where you can risk sharing what's hurting, distressing or blocking you.

Alternatively, you might want to explore how you can reach more of your potential.

Counselling can give you:

• a more solid sense of who you are in the world
• more inner resources
• more ability to cope
• the relief that comes from sharing a burden so it's no longer overwhelming or weighing down on you.

Focusing

I bring ‘focusing’ into my counselling work. Focusing has been transformative in my own recovery from childhood trauma. It is a bit like mindfulness: slowing down and noticing our feelings as they express themselves. You might notice a tightness in the throat or a churning in the stomach, or perhaps a held-back-ness in the heart or chest. Letting words or images come from these places within us can bring a huge amount of relief, resolve issues and bring new ways of going forward in your life. You can also use art materials as a way to get in touch with what might be impossible to put into words.

I’m not sure why focusing is not more well known! Many schools of therapy are now seeing how helpful and effective it is to work with the body in the talking therapies. I can help you learn to pay attention in this way – it is not something we are usually encouraged or taught how to do, but it is a natural human ability we all share.