Helen Barnes - Dip. Therapeutic Counselling & Cert. Counselling Children

About me

Hello, my name is Helen and I am a qualified Counsellor.  I work with children, teenagers/young people and adults.

I have counselling experience which includes working in different environments; schools, charities, private practice and within the NHS.

My background is that I am a Speech and Language Therapist (SLT). Within this profession I have many years experience working within paediatric services and working with adults with a learning disability.

As a Counsellor, I offer 1:1 Counselling helping clients through a variety of issues including; anxiety, depression, stress, relationship difficulties, grief or other mental health conditions.

For me, forming a good therapeutic relationship with my clients is key.  I offer warmth, empathy and a safe, confidential therapeutic space to talk, to help you explore your feelings in a non-judgemental way at your own pace.  I work following a humanistic approach exploring the whole person and understand that each person is unique in themselves. Using a Person-Centred Approach is core when working with my clients as this follows a non-directive approach, allowing you the client, to take more of the lead in discussions, so that in the process you will discover your own solutions.

When working with young children, I follow a Child-Led / Non-Directive Play Therapy offering a safe, confidential and caring environment to allow children to explore their thoughts and feelings using art and play.  Art and play are very comfortable for children and play and creativity are important to healthy physical and emotional development.   Play Therapy is offered at my Sudbury address.

If you feel you would like to gain more self-confidence, a stronger sense of identity, help to build healthy interpersonal relationships or you feel your child could benefit from receiving some play therapy to help with their emotions, or as a teenager you are suffering with anxiety issues, bullying, exam stress, difficulties socialising, then please do contact me to discuss further.

Sometimes, we just want someone to talk to without judgement. Or we may feel unhappy or stuck in our lives and not sure what to do next. Talking Therapy can help.

If you are considering counselling but not sure, please feel free to contact me via email or telephone.

I offer a free 20 mins initial telephone consultation to give opportunity for us to discuss your needs and to see if we both feel happy to continue to work together.

I am DBS registered.