About me
How does counselling help?
A partner or friend can often provide exactly what we need when facing life's difficulties. but what if well-intended advice simply isn't working this time? Maybe it's time to explore whether counselling can help.
How I work
Hello, my name is Donna and I’m a qualified, experienced Counsellor. I offer a compassionate, common-sense, and theoretically informed approach to help you explore what is troubling you. I provide both short and long-term therapy, tailored to your individual needs.
What I won’t offer
More well-intended advice or opinions.
What I will offer
Time. such a luxury in today’s fast paced world. Time to see more clearly what is troubling you. Time to find a way forward that feels right for you.
A respectful, confidential, non-judgemental and compassionate space where, together, we can build a trusting relationship, for you to feel truly heard.
New to counselling?
You may be feeling unsure, ashamed or anxious about seeking professional help - and that is completely okay. By reading this listing, you have taken the first step...
What to expect when we meet
The next step is for us to schedule a time to meet. This is your opportunity to describe the difficulties you are facing, and for me to explain how I may be able to support you - helping you decide whether counselling feels right for you. There is absolutely no obligation to book further sessions.
Returning to counselling?
When we meet, I'll be keen to understand what worked well in your previous counselling experience, and anything you'd like to be different this time. From there, we can collaboratively agree on a structure for future sessions, focused on the issues you want to address.
Areas of particular professional interest
My specialist area is working with neurodivergent adults, both diagnosed and undiagnosed. Supporting clients who choose to self-diagnose or explore a formal assessment is something I feel particularly passionate about, having experienced this journey myself. The process can have a profound impact: it's often a rollercoaster of emotions, and I would love to help you navigate this.
I am dedicated to helping you recognise your unique talents and strengths, while also acknowledging the challenges, discovering practical ways to cope and learning to truly thrive. Above all, I believe in empowering you to develop the confidence to own and share your story – and to help others understand what makes you uniquely you.
Training, qualifications & experience
FdA (with Merit) in Counselling, University of Greenwich:
I trained as a Humanistic Counsellor and studied Person-Centred, Gestalt and Existential theoretical models.
These approaches ensure that I place utmost importance on you, the client, at all times during our work together. I am led by you to work at a pace that feels safe, manageable and helpful.
I truly believe that this approach can facilitate growth and change - that it is possible to reach our full potential. As our therapeutic relationship strengthens, I may challenge emerging distorted beliefs that have become fixed and problematic to your sense of well-being; how you view yourself, your environment, others, the world...
Since gaining my Counselling qualification I have broadened my modalities and incorporate Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Solution-Focused approaches into my practice.
I have furthered my training and achieved an advanced certificate in Couples Therapy.
This ensures that I can offer practical, theoretically based interventions that are tailored to meet individual needs; after all, each and every one of us are unique, which is the complexity and delight of being human.
Post Qualification Diploma in Counselling Supervision: I provide Supervision for fellow professionals by developing collegiate working relationships, promoting safe and ethical practice, offering a supportive space to explore further learning and an opportunity to reflect, grow and re-balance.
I am a Registered and Accredited member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy:
My Counselling and Supervisory practice is underpinned by BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions. I attend regular Supervision and actively engage in continued professional development (CPD) to ensure my knowledge is current and relevant to client needs.
I am fully insured and have up to date criminal record checks endorsed by the Disclosure Barring Service (DBS).
Experience:
Since gaining my counselling qualification in 2012 I have had the privilege of working in different settings and with many people from all walks of life. This has included working within hospice and prison environments.
I have worked with young people, adults, older adults and families.
I also teach on behalf of Organisations who wish to better understand the complexities of addiction and how to effectively work with substance misuse clients.
Member organisations
school Registered / Accredited
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.
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.
Accredited register membership
The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Photos & videos
Fees
£75.00 - £105.00
Concessions offered for
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
My Counselling, Psychotherapy and Supervision practice is available from Tuesday to Thursday weekly:
- Counselling appointments up to 6pm are charged at £75 per 50 minute session.
- Counselling appointments after 6pm are charged at £85 per 50 minute session.
- Couples and family therapy appointments are charged at £105 per hourly session.
Payment is due at the time of each appointment by cash, or bank transfer.
I require a notice period of 48 hours if you cannot attend your appointment; this can allow me to offer your appointment time to other clients, who may be waiting to be seen. I will endeavour to give you the same notice period if I need to cancel your appointment.
Please note: If you are contacting me via telephone and I cannot answer, please leave a message on my confidential voicemail and I will return your call as soon as possible.
Please confirm that I can leave you a message if you are unable to answer.
When I work
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Further information
I'd like to introduce you to Millie, my mixed-breed dog and loyal therapy companion. I adopted her at just four months old, and she's been by my side ever since. She's grown into quite a large dog - but don't let that put you off! Millie has a wonderfully gentle calming presence in the therapy room, and many clients tell me she's one of their favourite things about coming to sessions.
Millie has also proven to be a particularly wonderful presence for neurodivergent clients. Her calm, non-judgemental nature can help ease anxiety and make the therapy space feel safer and more comfortable - sometimes making it easier to open up than it might otherwise be.
If you have any concerns about being around dogs, please don't hesitate to let me know - your comfort always comes first.
