About me
You may have spent years holding everything together for everyone else whilst quietly struggling yourself.
Perhaps anxiety is exhausting you, your confidence has disappeared, relationships feel difficult, or experiences from childhood continue to affect how you think, feel and respond today. You might find yourself overthinking, people-pleasing, struggling with boundaries, feeling emotionally overwhelmed, or repeating the same patterns despite desperately wanting things to change.
The truth is that many of the difficulties we experience as adults do not begin in adulthood. They often have roots in childhood experiences, family relationships, loss, trauma, attachment wounds, addiction, or years of carrying responsibilities that were never yours to hold.
I am Donna Thomas, an Integrative Counsellor and Psychotherapist and founder of Innerworth Counselling. With over a decade of experience supporting individuals through complex emotional difficulties, I provide a compassionate, non-judgemental space where you can safely explore what is happening beneath the surface.
I specialise in childhood trauma, attachment difficulties, anxiety, low self-esteem, addiction, co-dependency, grief, relationship challenges, emotional regulation and life transitions. I have extensive experience working with individuals affected by alcohol and drug addiction, family dysfunction, childhood neglect, abuse, complex trauma and the lasting impact these experiences can have on adult relationships and emotional wellbeing.
My approach is tailored to you. Drawing from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Transactional Analysis (TA), Person-Centred Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Gestalt approaches and neuroscience-informed practice, I help clients not only understand their struggles but also develop practical tools to create lasting change.
Therapy with me is not about being judged, analysed or told what to do. It is about helping you understand yourself more deeply, recognise unhealthy patterns, heal old wounds, strengthen your sense of self, and build healthier relationships with both yourself and others.
Many of the people I work with come to therapy feeling stuck, overwhelmed or disconnected. Over time they begin to feel calmer, more confident, more emotionally resilient and more in control of their lives. They develop healthier boundaries, learn to trust themselves again and find freedom from patterns that have held them back for years.
You do not need to have everything figured out before reaching out. If something in your life is no longer working, therapy can help you understand why and support you in creating meaningful, lasting change.
I offer online, telephone and face-to-face counselling for adults, couples and families across the UK.
Training, qualifications & experience
With over a decade of hands-on experience specialising in drug addiction interventions, criminal interventions, and alcoholism, I bring extensive expertise to the table. My background includes working at a refuge for victims of domestic violence and supporting children in residential settings. I have also worked in rehabilitation supporting individuals through and into the recovery process. As a fully qualified person-centred counsellor, I've worked in mental health services and served as a recovery practitioner, assisting carers and families coping with serious mental illness.
Additionally, I've provided counselling for a charity dedicated to empowering women to seize control of their lives, surmount obstacles, and progress forward. Committed to upholding professional standards, I am insured and hold registration with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), adhering strictly to their ethical guidelines.
Continual professional development is integral to my practice, as evidenced by my regular participation in private clinical supervision, training courses, and workshops. This ongoing commitment ensures that I remain well-equipped to provide the highest quality of care to those I serve.
Qualifications:
- BA (Hons) therapeutic counselling
- Certified in Mental Health and Addiction Behaviours
- Certified in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT),
- Transactional Analysis (TA), Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT)
- trauma certification program
- Certified in BACP Online Counselling
- Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling.
- Level 3 Certificate in lCounselling Skills.
- Level 2 Award in Counselling Concepts.
- Suicide & self harm awareness.
- Full Indemnity Insurance.
Experience:
With over a decade of experience, I have specialised in trauma, domestic violence, drug and alcohol misuse. I have also served as a public speaker in prisons and online platforms for addictions. Additionally, I have extensive experience working in residential children's homes dealing with complex needs.
Additional Expertise:
- Extensive knowledge on the 12 Steps program/AA, NA, CA and OA.
Corporate Counselling Services
With extensive experience in providing counselling support to businesses, I help companies enhance the well-being and productivity of their staff. I understand the unique challenges that organisations face and offer tailored counselling services that address workplace stress, conflict resolution, and overall mental health. My goal is to create a healthier work environment, boost employee morale, and support personal and professional development. Whether you're looking to improve team dynamics or provide individual support, I'm here to help your business thrive.
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.
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
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£50.00 per session
Free initial telephone session
Concessions offered for
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
Block sessions with discounts are available.
When I work
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I offer evening appointments to accommodate your busy schedule. My private practice is flexible, making it easier for you to prioritise your well-being alongside work and commitments.
Further information
My practice, Innerworth Counselling, is based in a quiet, comfortable setting in Hemsworth, designed to provide a calming and private environment where you can feel safe to explore and reflect. For clients who prefer flexibility, I also offer online sessions, allowing you to connect from the comfort of your own space. Additionally, I provide Walk and Talk sessions for those who find being in nature supportive to their healing process—these sessions are arranged in local, serene outdoor areas.
In my approach, I aim to create a warm, non-judgmental space tailored to your unique needs. Therapy is collaborative, and we’ll work together to explore your goals, challenges, and strengths, using a blend of therapeutic techniques that feel right for you.
If you’re interested in starting therapy, please reach out to discuss current availability or to schedule a session. I’ll always do my best to find a time that works for you. For any planned time off due to professional development or personal commitments, I’ll notify you in advance to minimize disruption to our sessions.
