About me
What to expect from me
I provide a safe, confidential space where you can offload without the fear of being judged. Whether you are navigating a major life transition like divorce or bereavement, or simply feeling that "something isn't right," I am here to listen.
No issue is too small, and no trauma is too heavy. Using a person-centered, integrative approach, I focus on your unique experience. Together, we will make sense of your challenges and find a path toward clarity and healing.
How Counselling can help
Counselling offers the dedicated time you need to navigate the waves of grief, anxiety, or relationship struggles. We can work together in two ways:
Short-term: Focusing on specific, immediate issues.
Longer-term: Deeply exploring the roots of your concerns.
My goal is to help you understand your feelings so you can regain your sense of self and confidence
Other skills and experience
Before becoming a therapist, I spent many years in Human Resources and Mediation. This unique background gives me a deep understanding of:
The pressure of workplace stress and corporate change.
The complexities of human relationships and conflict resolution.
The importance of genuine, empathetic connection.
My career change was driven by a natural ability to connect with people from all walks of life. I bring that same grounded, real-world empathy into every session.
Taking the first step can feel daunting, so I offer a free initial 15-minute phone consultation to see if we are a good fit. Please feel free to email or call me to arrange a chat
Training, qualifications & experience
I am qualified to a CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling. As part of my commitment to continuing professional development (CPD) I am committed to ongoing learning through courses, podcasts and reading. I have completed an online course for helping with eating disorders and CPD for Solution Based Therapy. I have completed a BACP Working with adult adopted clients and adoption related issues. I am currently working on a Diploma in Gestalt Therapy.
This allows me to integrate other approaches and techniques into my work and to maintain professional standards. I am a Registered Member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy)
- I am also a volunteer counsellor at Action for Essex Carers
- Mental Health First Aider
- I have Insurance and hold a current DBS Certificate.
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
Fees
£50.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Concessionary rates are available
Flexibility in terms of sessions, I can work with you and your needs and can offer weekly, fortnightly and monthly.
I offer an initial free 20 minute consultation via online or telephone. This is so I can explain how I work and what to expect from the therapy process. You are able to ask questions about any concerns you might have about entering into therapy. This is very important for our therapeutic relationship so you feel comfortable and safe and feel we can work together.
If you and I feel online therapy could suit your needs and you would like to continue we can book the first counselling session. This session and subsequent sessions are 50 mins in duration and usually weekly, although I can be flexible.
When I work
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Further information
As a person-centred practitioner, I offer a safe private virtual space, where you can bring whatever, you choose for discussion. My role is to listen, reflect and help facilitate the exploration of whatever concerns you bring. Through our work together you will gain greater understanding, acceptance, change and/or growth. I am unable to advise you although I can help with practical solutions where needed.
Online therapy provides an opportunity to talk and work through personal difficulties in a confidential and supportive environment. It allows you to access therapy at a time and place which is convenient to you. You will need to find a private and confidential space where you will not be disturbed or overheard. Clients often find that online therapy fits in better with their work and home commitments and is easier for clients who find it difficult to travel or live in rural areas. It is particularly useful for clients who live with disabilities, chronic illnesses or social anxieties. Some clients feel more comfortable with working online rather than being in the same room as the therapist.
Here is a recent review I received - "It's not very often that I feel compelled to write a review, however, I would like to express my gratitude to Helen for years I have suffered with anxiety and had some very difficult and dark times in my life. I have tried counseling before and felt that it was not for me. Many times my GP and other health advisers suggested I try talking with someone again and through being a carer I was put in contact with Helen and this is something I will be forever grateful for. I found Helen so easy to open up to and easily to talk to. She completely changed my attitude towards counselling and I found myself looking forward to our sessions. She is calm, friendly, patient encouraging, supportive with a good sense of humour. I would highly recommend Helen's service to anyone, she has a way of making you feel comfortable and looking at a situation from another perspective without being overwhelmed. I now feel confident knowing that with Helen's guidance, I can move on to the next step with my endeavour to progress" With regards E Shiels
