Christine Szpytma

Who am I and how can we work together?

Hello, I'm Christine, a qualified and experienced counsellor. I work with individuals and couples (see below).  I'll work with you to improve your well-being, so that you can get back to enjoying more of your life.  Together we'll  identify and work on the challenges you face,  so you'll feel more positive.  Clients often tell me how much I have helped them and what a good experience it has been (see their reviews below).

Issues I can help you with.

I effectively help clients with anxiety, depression,  bereavement, relationship difficulties, work problems, health anxiety, infertility, low self esteem and social anxiety, sexual problems and sexuality worries,  and alcohol and drug addiction. If you want help with anything that I've not mentioned, please contact me, as I have lots of other experience.

I can help you discover what is going on and how to improve things.

How can you get in touch with me?

Please leave me a message by email, phone or text. I'll then get back in touch within 24 hors, to arrange a short (free) phone to call so we can get to know each other a little. If you're happy to proceed we can then have our no obligation first session (50% discount).

I know that finding a counsellor can be daunting.  I want to reassure you that I appreciate this and I will do all I can, to make it feel less so. Please contact me to find out more and book a first session.

Who I Work With

I work with a very diverse range of people (from a variety of different backgrounds, ages, ethnicity, culture and sexuality).   I can assure you that I will respect your individuality and uniqueness.

Couples Counselling

I can help you communicate much more effectively, and learn to understand each other better. You'll be able to regain the pleasure and closeness you once had. I'll support you to repair conflicts (including infidelity) and help you learn how to reduce and resolve them.  You'll enjoy increased emotional intimacy with your partner and I can also help you improve your sex life.  

Anxiety

I'm very experienced in working with people  who suffer with anxiety. Some clients suffer anxiety about particular issues or triggers, and some have a more chronic, generalised anxiety disorder. If this is you, then  I can help you with immediate strategies on how to manage your anxiety. I'll then work with you to relieve the deeper issues causing the anxiety.  You'll be able to better manage your unpleasant anxiety symptoms in the short term, whilst we work to reduce your levels of anxiety, longer term.

What to Expect

We will see each other weekly (for as short or long as you wish) and you will have the time and space that you need for yourself.  I'll work with you to build up trust and rapport between us, so that you can feel comfortable in exploring what is painful for you. We will go at your pace, but I'll also gently challenge you to help you learn more about yourself. I’ll tailor my counselling approach to your needs, whether that is using techniques to counter negative thoughts or patterns of behaviour (such as CBT), or a deeper psycho-dynamic exploration of the difficulties you are facing. Our focus will be to improve your quality of life, in the areas that you bring to counselling.

Prior to qualifying and working as a counsellor, I worked as a manager in large organisations, I gained a good understanding of workplace issues that can have a negative effect, such as work/life balance, stress, bullying, restructures and redundancies.

Client Reviews

"The progress I have made with Christine's support has been phenomenal. I turned to Christine when I was in an incredibly dark place, suffering from really high anxiety and feeling crippled by depression, which was taking a huge toll on me personally and professionally. Christine's approach is truly wonderful - she used just the right blend of empathy, compassion, encouragement and 'tough love' (aka challenge!). I would encourage anyone who is seeking counselling to work through the issues they are facing to do so with Christine. I wouldn't be the person I am today (confident, calm, happy and optimistic) without her patient and attentive support. She is simply brilliant and inspiring." J

"Christine took our situation seriously and with the right combination of compassion and distance. I was always grateful for her clear and sharp observations. I would recommend her unreservedly to any couple needing someone fair, caring, and plain-speaking to help them navigate their relationship." C

"I found Christine when I was suffering with severe anxiety and panic attacks. She helped me work through past traumas with a caring, empathetic approach while challenging me to be self aware and confront aspects of my past which I’d repressed for many years.  Over time I learnt how to manage my anxiety, understand myself better and grow in confidence. This lead to me making life changes that I would have never thought I was capable of doing before I met her.  Working with Christine this past year has really changed my life. I would highly recommend working with her!" H

"Christine has helped me in such a short space of time, in so many ways. I found myself in a really problematic situation where I was suffering from depression and anxiety, speaking to Christine helped me find myself and the answers I was looking for. I felt trapped and afraid of so much, but having Christine to speak to made everything much clearer and easy for me. I'm so very grateful to have found this support and I will recommend her to many others going through difficult times. Thank you so much for everything. " F

"Having never engaged in Counselling I didn't know what to expect and was a little nervous. I needn't have been concerned as Christine proved to be the perfect counsellor for me, she is warm, encouraging but still challenging and inviting me to dig deeper when needed. I end my counselling journey having a much better perspective on past events and better prepared for dealing with whatever comes my way in the future. I highly recommend Christine." B

"I saw Christine regularly for just under 2 years. I can't explain how much Christine has helped me work through historical things, current issues and just genuinely understanding myself. Christine is always very easy to talk to, helped me breakdown my walls and just going where the conversation was needed at the time. I feel like a different person and in a stronger place to face whatever is in my future. I can't recommend enough!" L 

"My sessions with Christine were very useful on many levels, they helped me shift ways of thinking which I had had for decades and improved my self esteem. This led to massive improvements in my relationships and helped me to be more positive. Christine was compassionate in her listening and at times challenging in her questions but this led to powerful insights and there was plenty of laughter along the way." S

"My sessions with Christine have been life changing.........and now after 6 months and what's been one of the most challenging times of my life, I am ending the year with a new found confidence and pathway to a much brighter and grounding future."  E

"My partner and I got a lot out of working with Christine, during a very difficult time.  She was compassionate but challenging when she needed to be, and made us look more closely at ourselves and our relationship. I would recommend her services." G

Individuals - £40  for the first session and then from £75 for each session (50 minute sessions).

Couples - £50 for the first session and then from £90 for each session (60 minute sessions).

I am a member of the BACP and abide by their Ethical Framework. I also offer online and telephone counselling.