Heather Cowie
Every professional displayed on Counselling Directory has been independently verified by our team to ensure they have suitable credentials to practise.
This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Looking for change but not sure how? Struggling to cope? Whether you feel overwhelmed, angry, alone, numb, anxious or confused about what is happening to you, you don't need to face it on your own anymore. We can work together to help you:
- find calm and space in the face of stress.
- gain self-confidence and feel more relaxed.
- heal from traumatic past experiences.
- live alongside your grief.
- change negative behaviour patterns, such as addictions.
- quieten inner critics and love yourself.
- break out of negative relationship patterns.
- understand better what is happening to you.
- deal with feelings you have been carrying for a long time.
Am I the right counsellor for you?
It’s important for you to find a person that you feel comfortable and safe with. This will be different for everyone.
My various life experiences have taught me that everyone suffers and that everyone’s suffering is different but equally valid. We can often amplify our suffering by blaming ourselves. We say I “shouldn’t” be feeling like that or I “should” be able to get over it. But we are all human. We all suffer. And the antidote to suffering is compassion. So, I believe that being heard, understood and offered kindness in times of suffering can make an incredible difference. Especially if we are finding it hard to give ourselves that compassion.
I hope to be a calm, caring and courageous person; someone who is not afraid to witness your pain and sit in it with you, whilst carrying hope for brighter days. I will listen to try to understand your world. I will help you gently explore your feelings and beliefs and go deeper into what might be at the root of your distress. I will encourage you to find your glimmers and sparkles that will lead to your own solutions.
Working within the NHS, a young person’s charity and in private practice, I have counselled a variety of issues. We all have our own unique problems, contexts and vulnerabilities and as an integrative counsellor, I use a variety of methods to suit your individual needs. But you will always be in control in our time together. I might have the skills in counselling but you are the expert on you.
Whatever your problems we can work it out together, so don't struggle alone anymore. You have taken an important step by seeking counselling; message me now to answer any questions or worries you have, no matter how small, and to arrange a free intro conversation.
Sessions
I work online throughout the UK and face to face in Tavistock and Plymouth.
I offer open ended counselling which means I will offer you a session for as long as you feel you need it. I respect your autonomy as a client to know when you are ready to end, although I am happy to offer guidance if you wish.
Next steps
If you are interested in counselling with me, I offer a FREE initial phone or online conversation where you can ask any questions and we can see if we are a good fit for what you are looking for. After that we can arrange the first session if you want, but there is no obligation or pressure.
Contact me now to arrange your FREE conversation. Or visit my website or Facebook page for more information.
Training, qualifications & experience
- BACP Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling (Iron Mill Exeter).
- Online and Telephone Counselling Certificate.
- Qualified secondary school teacher (PGCE).
- MA Hons French & Business (University of Edinburgh.)
I have counselled within an NHS service in GPs surgeries, with the young person's charity Young Devon, as well as my own private practice.
Through this work, I have gained experience of various issues including; anxiety, low mood / depression, anger, bereavement, self-confidence, trauma, abuse, adverse childhood experiences, eating issues, OCD, loss, and relationship issues.
I have completed training for specific areas such as trauma, suicide and self harm, and bereavement.
Prior to working as a counsellor I have also worked as a secondary school teacher, run my own Children's Nursery business, worked in marketing and publishing and also presented on the shopping channel QVC.
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
Additional information
I offer a free initial phone consultation so we can discuss what you are looking for and see if we are a good match. Contact me to arrange.
When I work
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | |||||||
| Afternoon | |||||||
| Evening | |||||||
| Night |
Further information
I offer face to face sessions from both Tavistock and Plymouth. The rooms I use are in newly renovated Wellbeing Centres, specifically designed to create a calm, safe space for counselling.
