Hannah Cummings

I am an experienced BACP Accredited Counsellor, using an integrative approach to help you in the best way I can.  I offer a containing and accepting therapeutic relationship where we can explore together your experiences and difficulties.  Sessions may focus on the development of skills to help manage present life,  or the working through of past events or trauma and their emotional impact, and often a mixture of both with a view to opening up more choice, ease and well-being.

I work with adults and young people aged 16 plus from many backgrounds and life circumstances.  You don't have to find yourself in a crisis to come for counselling and I invite you to bring whatever is on your mind.  Some of the more common difficulties I help with include: anxiety, depression, low self-esteem/confidence, relationship and family issues, sexuality, stress, trauma, abuse, phobias, panic attacks, loss and bereavement. This list is not exhaustive and I am committed to hearing your individual experience and working inclusively with consideration of the context around you.

I trained originally in psychodynamic counselling, which focusses on recognising the impact of the past and the unconscious with a view to freeing up choices about how to be in the present. This forms the roots of how I work and I integrate this with other approaches where they might be helpful. These include Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy and Mindfulness techniques to work with distressing symptoms and habits and develop a more peaceful way of being, and Trauma-Informed Counselling to help move safely through traumatic experiences that have remained stuck. I introduce Transpersonal ideas where they feel relevant to deepen the work and I underpin the sessions with a person-centred ethos of trusting each individual's pace and inner wisdom.'

I can meet with you weekly for a few sessions to think specifically about an issue or can offer longer-term psychotherapy, giving the space to explore all aspects of your life and develop greater self-awareness.  As a starting point, the expression of emotion within the context of a safe and accepting therapeutic relationship can quite quickly help to relieve distress, and the growth of self-understanding and shifts in how you relate to yourself and others can bring lasting change to how you feel and the choices you make. For this reason I consider investment in therapy to be a valuable gift to yourself. 

If you are interested in trying therapy with me, please contact me to arrange a free half-hour introductory phone or video call. If you decide to continue with me we will agree a weekly 50-minute slot that is yours for as long as you wish. Sessions  can be in person or online.

I am also an experienced Supervisor and can offer supervision sessions weekly, fortnightly or monthly and provide a supportive relationship for you to explore your client work and personal processes and develop yourself professionally.

I work within the ethical guidelines of the BACP.

I offer a free half-hour introductory session by phone or video call to discuss your needs and decide if I am the right therapist for you.