Elaine Fernandez

I also offer Online & Telephone sessions as well as Face to Face.

If you are unable to engage in person, online or telephone counselling is an excellent alternative, so please do not hesitate to contact me if you would like to share how you are feeling and look at positive coping strategies to try and maintain a healthy mental wellbeing.

I work in St. Andrew Street in Hertford Town and in the beautiful village of Gaston Green, Little Hallingbury near Sawbridgeworth and Bishops Stortford which is a quiet and semi-rural setting.

Thank you for taking the time to look at my profile.  I think the best way to get an honest and insightful picture of me is to look from others perceptions, after all looking from others perceptions is what Person Centred counselling is all about.  Below is a few testimonials from clients I have counselled that have taken the brave step to seek counselling and have therefore gained a better understanding of how to change, grow and lead a more fulfilling life.

"Elaine possesses a unique calmness and professionalism that always made me feel safe and relaxed. Within each session I sensed trust, empathy and cohesion.  I never felt judged, I felt valued.   I highly recommend Elaine as a dynamic Person Centred Counsellor who supported me in changing my life’s perspective.” 'K. Hipgrave, Counsellor in Private Practice’

"I have found counselling with Elaine really helpful and much easier than I had expected. Elaine made me feel completely comfortable and I felt able to trust her. She was non-judgmental, calm and helped me to develop more positive and realistic ways of thinking. Elaine has helped me to have more balance in my life, helped me learn to love myself more and to develop coping strategies in times of stress and anxiety. Elaine’s approach worked well for me as she offered guidance and thoughts during the sessions". 'RT, Anonymous Counselling Client, St. Albans'

"Elaine is very professional and at the same time a lovely person who is easy to establish a trusting relationship with.  I found she listened and understood, guided you to think through things yourself and come up with your own solutions.  Not pushy or judgemental, just offering direction which makes you feel things are manageable.  Elaine is very knowledgeable about many topics and seemed to understand issues very quickly.  She also had a good sense of humour 

"My name is J***** and I am an Alcoholic.  Elaine helped me change my thoughts to positive by changing the way I think.  Counselling helped me offload all my fears and feelings and supported me through a difficult time in my life, particularly in early recovery.  She helped me through anxiety and panic attacks before it reached its peak by using techniques such as meditation and breathing exercises.  We explored the benefits of keeping sober and dealing with difficult situations such as my families insecurities and trusting me again.  Accepting the things I cannot change and a realisation that recovery takes time.  Overall I have benefited so much and engaging in counselling has helped me in my road to recovery".  'JB, Anonymous Counselling Client, Waltham Cross

Sometimes, we get stuck, repeat negative behavioural patterns or feel anxious, depressed or just sad.  At times we can all experience life as challenging and we often rely on help from family and friends but there may also be issues that are complex or sensitive which we don't feel comfortable in sharing with those close to us.

It is at this point we need a safe, confidential space where we can explore our emotions and express ourselves openly without fear of being judged or criticised.  Maybe we feel confused, conflicted, guilty and this is where counselling can help by offering an empathic, warm and non-judgemental space for you to reflect and re-direct yourself. Together we can explore habits and patterns that have hindered and kept you stuck where you may feel you are existing rather than living.  We all have the desire to grow and reach our full potential, but sometimes we need guidance, acceptance, trust and encouragement to be able to accomplish this.

I am a qualified and experienced Person-Centred (Humanistic) Counsellor, one of the Founders of the Humanistic Approach was Carl Rogers who said "Growth occurs when individuals confront problems, struggle to master them and through that struggle develop new aspects of their skills, capacities, views about life"  i.e. to fulfill one's potential and achieve the highest level of 'human-beingness' we can.  By openly sharing, reflecting and exploring our experiences and feelings, we can work together so you can become your true and authentic self. I will be there to support and guide you where we can experiment in finding new ways of facing and overcoming difficulties.

As a registered member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy, I am bound by their Code of Ethics and aspire to the highest standard of practice.

£50 per 50 minute face to face session.  £45 per 50 minute for Online & Telephone sessions.  I offer concessional rates for students and people on low incomes.

Please see my website for full details of sessions and fees: www.counsellinghertsservices.co.uk

I hold Professional Indemnity Insurance.

Privacy Statement: In accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), any personal information sent via this website will only be used to contact you with details of services you have requested. Your personal details will not be retained for any other purpose, nor will they be shared with any other organization.

I provide a full privacy policy when you contact me which you can also view and download from my website: www.counsellinghertsservices.co.uk