Deborah Powter

I am an integrative counsellor, which means that I draw from a range of approaches to suit your individual needs. Building and maintaining a trusting therapeutic relationship with you is an important part of my work as a counsellor because I want you to feel safe and supported enough to be able to talk about your innermost thoughts and feelings. This may be your first experience of counselling so you might not know what to expect and I understand that taking the first step can feel daunting. I am here to help you feel as comfortable as possible and to work with you in facing the difficulties that you are experiencing.

How counselling may help

Counselling is a safe, therapeutic space for you to talk about the challenges that you are facing.  It can be related to current difficulties or those that have happened in the past. It helps you to explore your thoughts, feelings and behaviours and to understand more fully about what is happening.  It can support you in finding ways to improve your situation and help you to live your life differently. In times of difficulty and distress it can be easier to talk to somebody who is independent of family and friends.

What to expect in your first session

The first session lasts for up to an hour and gives you the space to talk about what it is that brought you to counselling and to think about what you might like to gain from counselling.  The first session also gives you a chance to meet with me and for us to consider together whether what I have to offer is suitable for you.

I work on a long term, open-ended basis or a short-term basis, which is usually between 6 to 12 weeks.  We would discuss this at your initial consultation to consider what might be appropriate for you. We will review your counselling needs regularly during the counselling process and make adjustments as required. On-going sessions last for 50 minutes each.