Helen Long

Do you feel anxious, edgy or nervous? Have you ever felt that you are unable to cope when things go wrong? Perhaps you feel low and depressed? Have your thoughts or feelings distressed you? Maybe you feel unhappy, alone or feel that you have no one to turn to? Have you avoided events, people or situations because you are frightened? Are you a person who struggles with relationships? If the answer is yes to any of those questions then you are not alone and I can help you.

I am a fully qualified counsellor in Humanistic Gestalt Counselling. I have worked as a counsellor for a local counselling service and also at a local college for several years. I have had extensive experience working with complex young people in different settings over ten years.

I have a special interest, training and experience in working with eating disorders including anorexia, bulimia, compulsive and binge eating, ARFID (Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder). I have experience working with people on the autistic spectrum and people with ADHD, both male and female. I consider myself to be a neuroaffirmative practitioner and can adapt the way I work to suit your needs.

My style of working involves empathy, building rapport and listening without judgement - I am committed to providing good quality counselling. My practice is humanistic with a creative approach, treating every client as an individual, working flexibly to support their needs. I consider myself a warm and positive person who is passionate about emotional health and well-being particularly for adolescents. I enjoy working with all age groups.

I am a member of the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP) and I work within the principles of their Ethical Framework.

I work with individuals on an open-ended basis or for an agreed time period. I am experienced in helping clients who have experienced difficulties with:

• Anxiety, Generalised Anxiety Disorder
• Attachment Issues
• Autism
• Body dysmorphia
• Bullying
• Depression
• Eating disorders
• Exam stress
• Generalised Anxiety Disorder
• Grief, Bereavement
• Loneliness
• Loss
• Low self-esteem
• Panic Attacks, Phobias
• Parents of children with SEN
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Relationships, Family Issues
• Refugees/Asylum seekers
• Self-harm
• Sexual abuse and exploitation
• Sexual identity
• Social anxiety
• Stress
• Trafficking

I run a small private practice based in Winchester within easy reach of transport links. The No.3 and No.7 bus stops are only a few minutes walk. Parking is also available with access for wheelchair users. My therapy room is a safe and tranquil cabin setting within my garden.

Whatever your reasons for seeking counselling I appreciate it can be one of the hardest decisions you will make. The thought of being open or sharing painful feelings alone can add to the fear of seeking out a counsellor. However, it is a really positive step and many people feel better after the first session.

By providing you with a safe, confidential space to talk and feel truly listened to, I will help you to explore your concerns and help you to feel more empowered in your responses to them. For some clients, it is a genuine understanding of another person that leads to positive changes in therapy. For others, it is the actions or adjustments that come from gaining awareness and acceptance of your unique way of making sense of the world.

Gestalt counselling is considered humanistic, existential psychotherapy and emphasises the present moment, the ‘here and now’. The practice uses cognitive insight into current experiences, encouraging a client to explore creatively, areas of life that have been obstructed.

Sessions are tailored to each individual depending on their age, style of engagement and presenting issues. Counselling can be transformative!

After you have made contact with me via email, text or messenger, I will contact you for an informal chat to establish what you are looking for in terms of counselling.

Counselling costs £60 per session (50 minutes)

I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. I hold full professional indemnity insurance and a current DBS.

Helen Long Counselling is registered with Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) and protects client data inline with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). For more information and to read my privacy policy please visit my website www.helenlongcounselling.com