Helen Hazell-English
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Motherhood is profoundly intense and triggering. With me, you don't need to be on sparkling form or pretend you're fine. I support you to untangle confusing and painful thoughts and feelings, nourish your strengths, and regain your balance. You deserve to thrive, not just survive day to day, pouring your energy into other people.
I believe that you are the expert in your life, but life + motherhood is too messy and complex for anyone to just take it in their stride. My role is to help you explore your difficulties and options without getting in the way. At this time in your life the focus is so rarely on you as a person. It is my pleasure to be your warm, skilled supporter, alongside you for this part of your personal development journey. I value the diversity of minds, bodies and families and work in an LGBTQ+ and neurodiversity-affirming way.
My clients have often overcome stressful life events or difficult childhoods and find that 'old stuff' bothers them again because of the stresses and particular triggers of being a mum.
You do not have to be at crisis point. Counselling can be a powerful experience of benefit to anyone who is interested in it. If you invest in yourself by taking this private time to pause and reflect, it can make a huge difference to you and your family.
If you would like to try some therapeutic conversations with an experienced professional, contact me to arrange an initial appointment. We can explore what you hope to gain from therapy, and see if we are the right fit. Psychotherapy is my favourite subject so I am very happy to chat to you about it if you have questions.
Early motherhood
Every woman's experience is personal, but common issues include:
- traumatic childbirth
- changes in identity, relationships, body and lifestyle
- low confidence, depression, anxiety, stress, isolation
- unfinished business or repeating patterns from your own childhood
- facing additional major life events and decisions, such as a bereavement or moving house
- struggling with cultural and systemic aspects of motherhood which feel personal (for example lack of support for parents, myth of the perfect mum, taboo against ambivalent feelings, low/no financial value given to care work, the overwhelm of parenting in the information age)
- anxiety of raising children during a climate emergency and a pandemic
Becoming a mum involves a breaking down of your old life and building a new one. It is a creative process that includes mourning for lost parts and usually a lot of confusion and uncertainty. The transition is enormous and different for each woman.
Pregnant or trying for a baby
The moment the idea of a baby takes shape, the life changes of motherhood have begun. There is a lot to get your head round, and I can help you. We can talk about your life so far and focus on any issues you would like to work on before your baby arrives. We can explore the areas of motherhood you are most anxious about, and discuss the personal strengths that you bring to your new job of mothering. We work towards you feeling as best prepared as possible.
You may want support because you are having a difficult pregnancy, or difficulties with conception or adoption.
Training, qualifications & experience
I trained at The Minster Centre in London, a leading integrative psychotherapy and counselling training institute.
- Postgraduate Diploma in Integrative Counselling (BACP accredited, validated by Middlesex University)
- Advanced Certificate in Online and Telephone Counselling
- Certificate in Bereavement Counselling
- My ongoing professional development includes training on working with trauma, shame, supporting parents after baby loss, and perinatal mental health.
In addition to my private practice I have worked in an NHS-funded bereavement service and a low-cost counselling service.
I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and abide by their high professional standards and ethical code.
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
Other areas of counselling I deal with
- Counselling for mums
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£70.00 per session
Free initial online session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
I offer a free 15min chat so you can see what it's like to talk with me.
For the first few months you can bring your baby to your online counselling sessions if you would not otherwise be able to attend.
When I work
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Further information
My particular interest is supporting mums with their personal lives in the midst of early motherhood stresses. But if you are further along in your motherhood journey, or otherwise drawn to work with me, you are welcome to get in touch.
