Chia Barsen NHS counsellor (MSW, MCPsych, MBACP)

About me

About me

I am an integrative psychotherapist. This means that I integrate different approaches into my model of practice. I draw on Psychodynamic, Person-Centered, Transactional Analysis and Gestalt therapy. This allows me to work holistically with you, holding and integrating all the different parts of your life together in a meaningful way. Years of counselling practice has taught me that a drawer full of approaches and theories, on their own, are ineffective. I take psychology back to it's core, to it's human basics. My counselling practice is about maintaining a mindful human presence through empathy, and listening, to build a strong therapeutic relationship. This is the true secret to healing!

Let's explore your world together.

What you are going through and how you are feeling, is very personal and important to you. Finding a person to closely listen and be genuinely present can be difficult. Sometimes your friends, or even your own family, do not understand how you are feeling. Emotionally surviving in this world may be tough for you with all the things that may be happening. The world may be even tougher if you feel you are completely alone, and have no one to turn to. The world is scary when you are haunted by your own thoughts and memories. You might be afraid of what you might do, or say, and no one seems to understand.

As a counsellor I will never pretend to know what it is like to be you and in your shoes. What I can say is this: that I will be with you, and we will explore your world together, to truly understand your experience. This is why, you and your experience, will be the centre of our endeavour. You might be afraid of this journey, and you might not always like what you might find. The journey may be scary at times, and you may cry a few tears. However, you must know this: that you will never be alone on this journey. We will trek together.

How to get started:

I would be pleased to return your call if you are interested in working with me. In my experience connecting with you by phone is always a lovely way to start, of course, emailing me is perfectly fine too. Either way, I will get back to you very soon.

Number of sessions

The number of sessions required by each person is very individual and will be suited to your needs. This is something that we will discuss together in our first meeting.