Dawn Harding
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This professional is currently not accepting new clients at this time.
This professional is currently not accepting new clients at this time.
About me
Introduction
Do you want/need a warm, compassionate and collaborative space where you can slow down, feel truly heard, and begin to make sense of whatever has brought you to therapy? If so, please know that you don't need to arrive with clear answers – we simply begin wherever you are and with whatever you bring.
Together we can explore your emotional world, understand long-held patterns, develop greater self-compassion, and help you feel more grounded and connected to yourself. My aim is to support you in building lasting self-awareness, emotional resilience and a stronger sense of inner trust.
My work has evolved to integrate professional counselling with a gentle mind-body-soul-spirit perspective. I believe we all hold inner resources and wisdom that can become hidden beneath life's experiences, yet they remain there, waiting to be rediscovered. Where appropriate, and only if it feels right for you, sessions can also include mindfulness, body awareness, guided visualisation or shamanic journeying to help you gain insight, clarity and a deeper connection with yourself.
How I work
I work from an integrative (psycho-spiritual model), person-centred foundation, tailoring therapy to your individual needs rather than following a fixed approach. Clients often come to me feeling overwhelmed, disconnected from themselves, struggling with anxiety, low self-worth, difficult life experiences, grief, trauma, or feeling stuck in patterns they no longer wish to repeat.
Alongside talking therapy, I may draw on mindfulness, body awareness, parts work, guided imagery and, where appropriate and with your agreement, shamanic journeying. These approaches are never imposed, but offered as gentle ways of helping you reconnect with yourself, gain fresh perspective, and access your own inner wisdom.
Above all, I value creating a safe, respectful and non-judgemental therapeutic relationship where you feel able to explore your thoughts, feelings and experiences at a pace that feels manageable. I see therapy as a collaborative process that supports meaningful and lasting change.
My approach is particularly suited to people who are open to gentle self-exploration and a holistic way of working. If I don't feel I am the right therapist for your needs, I will always do my best to help you find appropriate alternatives.
Much of my work centres around helping people who:
~ struggle with anxiety, stress or nervous system overwhelm
~ feel emotionally shut down, numb or disconnected
~ experience low self-worth, low self-esteem or persistent self-doubt
~ carry unresolved childhood or relational wounds
~ find it difficult to set boundaries or put themselves first
~ feel responsible for others’ feelings or tend to people-please
~ are navigating life transitions, identity shifts or periods of uncertainty
~ sense there is “something deeper” wanting attention
~ low mood, depression
My approach suits those who are open to exploring not only their thoughts and emotions, but also how experiences live in the body, and who feel drawn to a holistic, intuitive and soul-aware way of working.
However, I may not be the best fit if you’re looking for:
~ a highly structured or too directive an approach
~ quick fixes or surface-level solutions
~ purely behavioural or cognitive techniques
~ advice-giving or someone to tell you what to do
My work is best suited to those who feel ready to explore themselves with curiosity and compassion, and who are open to a deeper, integrative process of healing and self-discovery.
If something here resonates, I’d love to hear from you.
First steps...
I offer a free 20 minute phone call so you can share what’s bringing you to counselling, ask any questions, and get a sense of whether we feel like a good fit. There’s no pressure or obligation to continue beyond that if it doesnt feel right for you.
But if you do, then your first session is a gentle introduction where we cover practicalities, explore your hopes for counselling, and begin building our therapeutic relationship.
I work from a private, purpose-built counselling cabin in my garden, providing a calm and confidential space for therapy. Please note there are six low-level steps leading to the cabin, so do bear this in mind if you have any mobility difficulties.
I am fully insured, DBS checked and Emergency First Aid trained.
Training, qualifications & experience
My experience
I have gained experience working as a volunteer with various charities whose areas of work ranged from mental health and bereavement through to survivors of sexual abuse and trauma before setting up my private practice in 2018.
The charities I volunteered for are Olive Branch Counselling, Wiltshire Mind and Wiltshire Revival (RASAC).
My training/qualifications
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Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling (CPCAB) - Psycho-spiritual model
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Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (CPCAB)
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Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies (CPCAB)
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Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills (CPCAB)
- I hold a current Certificate of Proficiency (BACP)
CPD training undertaken to date includes the following, amongst many other courses and workshops not listed here as I am continually updating my knowledge.
- Relational / developmental trauma
- Somatic approaches
- Re-wilding/eco therapy
- Modern Medicine Woman
- Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
- Working with sexual trauma
- Loss, bereavement & grief
- Creative working
- Suicide and self harm
- Mental health and the body
- DBS certificate
- Emergency First Aid at Work
Member organisations
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.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
Walk & Talk...These sessions suit anyone who finds sitting indoors face-to-face a little daunting. We can work outdoors regularly or mix walking and indoor sessions depending on the weather (I’m usually happy to walk in most conditions). Being side by side in nature, breathing fresh air and gently moving helps circulation, bringing clarity and calm. This can be especially appealing if you spend your days in an office and long for more freedom and spaciousness.
Events.... I hold monthly meditation groups with a sound bath and collaborations with others. All can be found on my Events page (https://www.the-innerpath.com/event-list)
Healing sessions.... I also offer the beautiful heart-led energy healing of Rahanni Celestial Healing to release fears & negativity and invite in balance and compassion. Or you could enjoy a wonderful ancient shamanic journey healing session which can help connect to your inner wisdom at a deep soulful level, bringing insight, guidance, healing and more. To find out more check out my Soul & Spirit Healing pathways (https://www.the-innerpath.com/spirit-soul)
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£60.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
All session last for 1 hour.
INDIVIDUALS - £60.00
COUNSELLING STUDENTS - £40.00
Payments can be made by cash on the day or by bank transfer in advance of the session.
When I work
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Further information
I am a member (no. 00917584) of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) (www.BACP.co.uk) and I adhere to their Ethical Framework for Good Practice.
I am fully qualified, insured and hold a current DBS certificate.
