About me
Welcome to my profile.
Are you not coping with the demands of day-to-day life? Wonder how other people seem to find life a lot easier than you do? Not feeling good enough or that your behaviours are too much maybe?
Feeling stressed and overwhelmed all the time is no fun and exhausting. I can help you explore and address your issues, working towards a more content future.
Who I work with:
I offer counselling for individuals aged 18+, with online, telephone, and in-person sessions available in central Exeter.
I have a particular interest in working with neurodiversity, including ADHD, supporting both diagnosed and self-identifying individuals, as well as those exploring whether they may be neurodivergent. I work with early and later-diagnosed adults, including university students experiencing overwhelm, emotional difficulties, identity questions, and academic pressures.
I also support individuals experiencing addictive or habitual behaviours, alongside family members affected by a loved one’s difficulties.
Alongside this, I have four years’ experience counselling emergency service personnel and understand some of the unique challenges and pressures this work can involve.
My Approach:
My professional training, work experience, and personal journey enable me to effectively support individuals navigating challenges related to neurodiversity, including ADHD, emotional regulation, overwhelm, and self-understanding.
I am an Integrative Counsellor and ADHD Coach, incorporating aspects of Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Brief Therapy, and trauma-informed practice into my work.
My core approach is person-centred and strength-based, creating a safe, supportive, and non-judgemental space where you can openly explore your thoughts, emotions, and experiences. Together, we can begin to understand the underlying factors contributing to current difficulties, while also recognising and building upon your existing strengths — even when they may feel difficult to see.
Through Motivational Interviewing, we can explore what is important to you, what motivates change, and what may be getting in the way. This approach can help strengthen confidence, increase self-awareness, and support meaningful, lasting change.
CBT can help us identify unhelpful thought patterns and behaviours that may be contributing to anxiety, low mood, overwhelm, or self-criticism. Together, we can develop healthier coping strategies and practical ways of managing challenges.
Brief Therapy offers a more focused approach when working towards specific goals or finding practical solutions to immediate difficulties.
My work is also informed by trauma-aware practice, recognising how past experiences, chronic stress, emotional wounds, and nervous system responses can impact everyday life, relationships, coping strategies, and self-esteem.
I believe there is no “one size fits all” approach to therapy. Every individual is different, and counselling should reflect your unique experiences, needs, and goals. While there are many therapeutic approaches, they all aim to reduce emotional suffering and support personal growth. Research consistently shows that the therapeutic relationship itself is one of the most important factors in successful therapy.
Training, qualifications & experience
Experience:
As well as my private practice, I work as a therapist with the Fire and Rescue Service. I have over 25 years of experience working in various mental health settings. I have worked with community addiction services, residential detoxification and recovery treatment, supported individuals in the community with psychotic illness, Acute mental health, learning disabilities and neurodiversity.
Training:
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Certificate in ADHD Coaching (Universal Coaching Alliance) Accredited Certificate in coach training
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Trauma Informed Practice (Counselling Tutor)
- ADHD in the Therapy room
- Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
- Level 3 Award in Counselling Skills and Theory
- Level 2 Certificate in Counselling
- Online and Telephone Counselling
- Motivational Interviewing
- Brief Solution Focused Therapy
- CRUSE Bereavement Training
In addition, I have training in safeguarding, health coaching and I've attended multiple trainings related to addictions in previous job roles.
Member organisations
school Registered / Accredited
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.
The National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society This Not For Profit association of counsellors and psychotherapists aim to support the counselling profession, members and training organisations. In 2013 the NCS register was accredited by the Professional Standards Authority under the Accredited Voluntary Register Scheme. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
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.
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
ADHD Coaching
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£60.00 per session
Additional information
I provide therapy services for individuals aged 18 and above, available in Exeter city center, as well as through online platform.
Sessions are priced at £60 for a 1-hour duration, and can be conducted either face-to-face or online.
It’s important to find a therapist right for you. I recommend reaching out to a few therapists, and see who you feel comfortable talking to on the phone.
I offer a complimentary 15-minute call. This gives you the opportunity to assess if we could potentially work well together.
Contact number: 07491 317162
Email: andrea@focusforwardcounselling.co.uk
When I work
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In person sessions - I have availability Tuesday, Wednesdays and Thursday afternoon/evening based in Exeter.
Online/Telephone sessions - Monday and Friday appointments.
Further information
I offer a free 15 minute call to discuss your needs and how we may work together.
Enquiries by phone, email, and text.
(If sending email - please check your spam folder if not had a response from me after 48 hours)
