Beth Whiting

Hi there and welcome to my page, I'm Beth. I am a therapist at 'Just As You Are Counselling', and I'm also an ordinary human being. I have flaws and make mistakes. I have encountered struggles and emotionally challenging times too.

I have considerable experience of being a client on my own therapeutic journey. My experiences of therapy continue to remind me to meet myself with kindness and self-compassion. Learning this 'go gently' approach is something I like to encourage with clients too as I believe it really supports the emergence of inner calm, self-acceptance, and healing.

I cannot know how it feels for you as it is your own unique experience, but I think it helps give me a sense of how it might feel for you to be 'in therapy' because I've been a client too.

I am supported by my love of nature, my two rescue cats, walking, and pottering in my garden. It is through my belief in the value of working relationally, and the support we can receive from being outside in green spaces, that I decided to take my therapy sessions outdoors for those who choose to, and are able to - and I offer online sessions for those choosing, or needing, to meet remotely.

Whatever is going on for you right now, you don't have to manage on your own. It can be especially hard to ask for help, and I always hold that in mind when someone reaches out to me to ask about therapy sessions. I’m mindful of how anxiety inducing it can be to meet with someone new, especially a therapist!

I'm happy for you to contact me by email, text message, or telephone call. I have an answerphone, so do please leave me a message and I'll return your call as soon as I'm able to.

What I can offer you and how we might work together

I offer counselling to adults on a one-to-one basis. We can meet outdoors for 'walk and talk' therapy, or we can meet online via Zoom video - or a mixture of both.

I am with you to listen and to offer a calm, friendly, and confidential space. I aim to listen without judgement and with an acceptance of you 'just as you are.' My intention is to offer an inclusive therapeutic environment; one which embraces diversity and celebrates individuality and uniqueness.

I work relationally, where I encourage us both to pay attention to whatever emerges between us in our therapeutic relationship, and valuing that because it will all be valid! I won’t tell you what to think or do. I won’t give you advice. I foster a collaborative approach, where you have as much choice as possible. I will honour your protective behaviours, and encourage your inner ‘no’ and your inner 'I don’t know.' I am a human first, a therapist second and I want to offer a space that stresses the importance of ‘being’ not ‘doing.'

Meeting online

If you're thinking about trying online sessions with me but have worries about direct eye contact, we can explore this together. I encourage a collaborative relationship and finding creative ways that might make meeting with me online feel easier. This might include the invitation for you to move about or for me to sit at more of an angle to the screen. You're welcome to move about too, if your body wants to move I will support that and encourage you to do the same.

Meeting outside

I understand that sitting in a room, one-to-one with a counsellor, might feel daunting and contribute to increased anxiety. Being outside and walking or sitting side-by-side can feel quite different to being in a room together, and might be helpful especially for people who feel uncomfortable with intense eye contact.

Being outdoors can help us practice focusing on the nature that surrounds us. As we do this, we are developing a skill of mindfulness and the idea of paying attention to one thing right now in the present moment. For some people, this practice may bring some comfort in day-to-day life and at times of overwhelm.

It can be interesting how nature offers us things that might be used as a metaphor for our current situation. In the same way, nature can offer us a reflection or understanding of our inner experiencing.

Just being outdoors can help our bodies to relax which can allow space for us to notice our thoughts and feelings more clearly.

Although still in a therapeutic relationship, the therapeutic space becomes equally ours. When we meet outdoors, we are on common ground and sharing the experience of being outside. This sense of equality might feel important for you.

You may enjoy being outside, either walking or sitting in the fresh air, but not have many opportunities to do so. Taking your counselling session outdoors could give you 50 minutes a week for you to do that.

How counselling can help you

You may be struggling with anxiety, depression, or feeling sad. You might choose counselling due to a bereavement, or experiencing other loss. Sometimes people come to counselling to explore their identity - “who am I?” or they might want to talk about relationship difficulties, low self-esteem, or feelings of overwhelm or ‘stuckness.’ 

I support and celebrate the mind-body connection. You might just have a sense of not feeling ok that 'shows up' as a feeling, sensation, or change of energy felt somewhere in your body. As we listen to your spoken story, we might also pay gentle attention together to this 'felt sense' attached to your story and that your body might be holding.

Whether we meet outdoors or online, my intention is to walk alongside you as a travel companion whilst you follow your own path through counselling. Sometimes, your path might take you to a place which feels difficult and scary. Before we rush down these pathways, it can be really important for us to spend time together exploring ways of discovering and connecting with inner and external resources that help to bring you feelings of calm and safety, especially at times of overwhelm.

My approach is built on compassion and care. I provide a space for you to be heard, a place where healing can begin. As you move through your sessions, you may notice the parts of you that often feel especially anxious or worried begin to slowly and gently relax.

How long are our sessions?

I allow 30-40 minutes for your first session. Any subsequent sessions will be weekly for 50 minutes, usually on the same day at the same time. I don’t routinely offer fortnightly sessions.

You can find out more about me and details about how we might work together on my website - click 'visit website' button above (www.justasyouare.org.uk).

• Feeling 'stuck'.
• Feelings of overwhelm or confusion.
• Identity.
• Loss.
• Loss of a pet.
• Low mood.
  
  
  

My Fees

• First session - £30. Please allow between 30-40 minutes for this session.

Any subsequent sessions will last for 50 minutes.

• Online/Zoom sessions - £55 for 50 minutes.
• Walk & talk Sessions - £55 for 50 minutes.

I don't charge for my travel time/fuel.

What to expect in your first session

Your first session will be online, for a duration of 30-40 minutes. Any subsequent sessions will be 50 minutes.

This session is an opportunity for us to meet each other and enables me to hear any of your concerns, hopes or expectations for therapy. This session can sometimes help us get a feel for what it might be like for us to work together. You might have some questions for me - I welcome your questions!

At the end of your first session, you may decide to book for a further session or sessions. You might choose not to have any further sessions with me. Whatever you decide is OK.