Christine Johnson

As a qualified counsellor, registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), I offer you a safe and confidential environment where you can explore and discuss your concerns at your own pace, without fear of judgement.

I passionately believe in the power of listening, empathy, acceptance and giving opportunities to clients to explore whatever they are experiencing patiently and supportively. With greater insight and care, clients can see their self-confidence improving and feel empowered to make the decisions that are right for them. My approach is non-directive, which means that you decide what and how much you tell me and together we can embark on a journey of self-discovery, self-acceptance and potential change.

I embrace diversity and differences and I have been privileged to work with people from different walks of life, ethnicities, religions, cultures and sexualities. I can offer counselling in German as well as English.

How counselling can help:

Most people look for counselling or therapy because they are experiencing some crisis. There is an habitual feeling, maybe anxiety or anger; or intrusive thoughts, or distrust or confusion; or particular behaviours, maybe around alcohol or drug use or ways of behaving towards others, that no longer fit with how this person wants, or maybe needs, to be. Others feel that their choices, for example, of partner or of work, are not working out as they want, but they are unsure of how to respond. Some people reading this may be only too painfully aware of trauma that they have experienced.

Some may be survivors of abuse. Most of my clients have had troubled upbringings and are struggling to find independence and an adult identity and often find that breaking old patterns is difficult.

Others can point to no single event that allows them to understand their discomfort. They have often experienced a kind of cumulative trauma caused by an emotional absence, and maybe excessive criticism or harshness in the carer's parenting style.

People who have autistic problems have to deal with historic and ongoing cumulative trauma, trying to create relationship in a world they do not understand and that does not understand them. The autistic elements and and the psychotherapeutic elements are interwoven. I can provide a therapeutic and empowering relationship to support the development of a richer life experience.

All of these, and more, can be worked though and resolved in therapy, so that the way life has worked for you up to now does not have to be the way it continues and the story written so far does not mean that the ending is fixed.

Before counselling: Clients come to me explaining their problems with words like:

Sad, Scared, Angry, Confused, Indecisive, Anxious, Inhibited, Desperate, Depressed, Empty, Wounded, Lost, Purposeless, Lonely, Overwhelmed, Isolated, Obsessed, Failed, Trapped

After counselling: Clients use words like:

Comfortable, Content, Pleased, Happy, Aware, Alive, Successful, Satisfied, Close, Spontaneous, Playful, Fun, Affectionate, Empowered, Stong, Confident, Excited, Valued, Loved.

Most clients experience internal emotional discomfort and have some difficulty functioning in some aspect of their life.

These issues can be explored and resolved in psychotherapy, which results in real changes in the individual's way of life, improved relationships and an ability to maintain joy in the face of current problems and pressures.

What to expect in a counselling session:

I work in an integrative and relational way, offering short-term, long-term and open-ended counselling in the South Gloucestershire and Bristol areas. I use different models and techniques to adapt my approach to your unique needs and the most important aspect of our work together will be our relationship.

First session:
During the first session we will find out whether we feel we can work together. We will carry out an initial assessement, agree the times and frequency for the first block of sessions. ( there will be regular reviews where we can establish whether things are working and what might need to change). We will agree the fee and work out what our counselling relationship will look like. You can tell me what your expectations/hopes and wishes are and how you like to work.

Supervision for me:
I work closely with clinical supervisors, and, when necessary, with other outside agencies, such as GPs, schools and local mental health professionals. I always consult with clients and work with them when advocating on their behalf to outside agencies. I follow the codes of ethics as set out by the BACP.

PETS AS THERAPY: I have two dogs who are registered as Pets as Therapy and I am registered to work with them. It is entirely up to you whether you want the dogs or one of them to be part of the counselling session.

They will never be present at the first session (unless you request to see them) and we will discuss fully whether they could form part of our counselling sessions.

£40.00 per session (50 mins)

Concessions available to low earners/students and unemployed

My counselling room is private and is accessible via its own door. There is usually parking available on the road just outside the house. There are a few steps up to the house; wheelchair access is not possible.

There is no waiting room so please only arrive a few minutes before the appointment. I organise my appointments so that there is no chance of bumping into other clients if you arrive a few minutes before your agreed time.

Sessions last 50 minutes.