Amy Hughes

Verified Professional

Every professional displayed on Counselling Directory has been independently verified by our team to ensure they have suitable credentials to practise.

Read about verification

I am a fully qualified and insured person-centred Counsellor, registered with the BACP (british association for counsellors and psychotherapists) I have had a high standard of training and continue to advance my skills with training regularly. Person-centred counselling is a great tool to help you get what you need from the session, whether it is working on coping strategies and techniques to conquer your anxiety, or to explore your past to find who you were and who you are now. There is no forcing you into something you aren’t ready to face, all sessions are at your own pace, space for you to build a better relationship with yourself and understand your emotions with kindness and curiosity.

My previous counselling clients have told me that our sessions together have given them more confidence in their decision making, created better relationships with themselves, their partners, family and friends, found answers to questions that have bothered them for years, found acceptance with parts of themselves they were ashamed of, gave them control over their emotions and found the courage to stop people pleasing. 

Some areas I’ve helped clients combat:

Are you feeling lost?

Do you find it hard to put yourself first, unable to say no, or feeling overwhelmed and unable to cope? Dissatisfied with your life but not sure what will help improve it? Maybe you have a big decision to make but the pressure of failing or making the wrong choice leaves you frozen, wanting to curl in a ball in front of the TV for weeks, trying to hide from it all? Counselling can gently help you to search for answers, be a place of reflection and self discovery. A space to learn how to be kinder to yourself, to find confidence in your voice and your power to decide what you want from life.

Are you exhausted with pleasing others and having no energy left for yourself?

Do you find yourself saying yes to others, even when you don’t want to? Do you prioritise others' needs above your own? Do you feel others take advantage of your kind nature but never seem to be there for you when you need help and support? Do you have no time for yourself? Counselling can help you figure out your priorities in life, what you want and how you can meet your needs. To become strong and find confidence to say no, to find time for yourself you deserve and become the person you wish to be!

Are you finding it difficult after having a new baby?

Having a baby can feel like a whirlwind of emotions. It's common to feel overwhelmed, like you aren’t good enough or feeling you are failing. Feel that you are lonely in all this, or lost part of yourself and not sure who you are anymore? This can be even more difficult if your pregnancy or birth was difficult or traumatic. Maybe you have had a baby who was premature or was unwell when they were born and feel no one else understands your fears and worries? Both mums and dads can feel lost and overwhelmed by the new world of being a parent. Counselling provides someone to listen to your worries, to share those difficult times with, without trying to offer advice or minimise your concerns. You won’t be alone. Counselling can also be a place to help you celebrate your achievements and build a stronger bond with yourself, your children and loved ones.

Feeling dread when you think of going back into work?

Are you struggling with your job, finding it hard to care about your work or unsure if you want to go in a different direction but scared to take the leap? Do you feel dread and find it hard to go to sleep before your next shift? I have lots of experience working with people in emergency services and the NHS. Previously being a nurse I understand the stress and pressure you are feeling, the fear of making a mistake. How hard It can be to keep putting on a brave face when you feel dissatisfied or overwhelmed. The difficulty of shifts and explaining how hard work is to people who may not understand what it's like. Counselling can help you decompress after a bad shift. To apply some of that caring you give to others to yourself. Counselling can also help you work out decisions and make choices in your career if you need a change, find confidence for that promotion, or find the bravery to leave that job you hate for a career you would feel fulfilled with.