About me
My work is all about personal growth and self development. I help people recognise their strengths, reconnect with their creativity and make choices that genuinely support their wellbeing.
I know that exploring painful or confusing experiences can feel daunting, so I offer a calm, non judgemental space where things can be talked through at a pace that feels safe. I support clients in making sense of overwhelming emotions, building coping strategies, deepening self understanding and noticing patterns in relationships that may be holding them back.
With over 15 years experience, I work in person and online with adults and young people from age 11. Over the years I’ve supported people through anxiety, trauma, emotional overwhelm, bereavement and low self esteem.
I have extensive experience working with trauma including complex and developmental trauma and I use EMDR informed approaches where helpful to reduce the ongoing impact of distressing experiences.
I also specialise in supporting young people. This includes building self esteem, managing anxiety and navigating challenges like bullying, peer pressure and emotional regulation. I have significant experience working with young people who may be experiencing suicidal thoughts, engaging in self harm or feeling unsure of who they are and I approach this work with sensitivity and care.
Alongside this, I support clients who feel different or misunderstood including those exploring neurodiversity or gender identity. I also work with anger related difficulties offering both one to one support and structured anger management work.
My aim is to offer a space where you feel understood, supported and able to move towards the changes you want to make.
Training, qualifications & experience
With 20+ years experience across education, healthcare and corporate settings. I now run a Counselling Service offering accessible low-cost and private counselling. I am an Accredited Psychotherapist PNCPS (Prof Accred) and Reg MBACP with an Enhanced DBS.
Qualifications & CPD
- Certificate in Counselling Skills
- Diploma in Youth Counselling
- Diploma of Therapeutic Counselling
- Advanced Diploma in Counselling Supervision
- Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Trauma & The Body: Somatisation & Dissociation
- StopSO – Crossing the Line
- Loss & Grief
- Working with bereavement and complex grief
- The Body Keeps the Score (Bessell van de Kolk) - Trauma & Body Based Approach
- Treating Intrusive Thoughts
- Polyvagal Theory
- Trauma & COVID training
- Trauma 1: Safe & Effective Trauma Therapy Essentials
- Trauma 2: how to achieve Safety & Stabilisation
- Trauma 3: Dissociation & Complex PTSD
- Trauma 4: Working with Trauma - Vicarious Trauma, Burnout & Compassion Fatigue
Member organisations
school Registered / Accredited
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.
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.
The National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society This Not For Profit association of counsellors and psychotherapists aim to support the counselling profession, members and training organisations. In 2013 the NCS register was accredited by the Professional Standards Authority under the Accredited Voluntary Register Scheme. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
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.
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
Young People Specialism
I hold a post qualification Certificate in Counselling Young People and have extensive experience supporting Children and Young People from around the age of 10. My work focuses on helping young people build self esteem, develop confidence, and find ways to cope with challenges such as anxiety, bullying, peer pressure and emotional overwhelm.
I have significant experience working with young people who may be struggling with suicidal thoughts or engaging in self harm. This work is approached with care, sensitivity and a strong focus on safety, trust and emotional wellbeing.
I also have experience delivering anger management workshops and working one to one with young people who are finding anger or strong emotions difficult to manage. This work supports young people in understanding their emotions, developing healthier ways of expressing feelings and improving relationships at home, school and with peers.
Working with teenagers and young adults often looks different from working with adults. I tailor my approach to suit each individual, recognising that some young people find it easier to express themselves creatively rather than through words alone. Where helpful, I use creative methods such as art, play and craft alongside talking therapy to support expression and emotional understanding.
I work flexibly and collaboratively, ensuring therapy is guided by the needs of the young person. Sessions are confidential to the child or young person, helping them feel safe and able to speak openly, while parents or carers are included through regular reviews to support progress and communication, and to ensure appropriate safeguarding is in place.
I am registered on the Children and Young People Accredited Register, which reflects my training, competence and commitment to ethical practice when working with Children and Young People.
Alongside my client work, I also offer support and supervision for student and newly qualified counsellors.
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£25.00 - £80.00
Concessions offered for
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
Counselling Fees
I offer counselling through two routes, which allows me to provide a range of options to suit different needs and circumstances.
HT Counselling Services Ltd, including Affordable Counselling Service
This service offers a range of fee options, including lower cost counselling, to improve accessibility.
Initial online assessment (30 minutes): Free of charge
Individual sessions (50 minutes, payable in advance): £25.00 to £80.00
Further details, including terms and conditions, can be found at
https://www.htcounselling.co.uk/
https://www.affordablecounsellingservice.co.uk/
Helen Townsend Private Practice
Alongside running counselling services, I also work directly with clients in my private practice.
Initial online assessment (30 minutes): Free of charge
Individual sessions (60 minutes, payable in advance): £80.00
Supervision (60 or 90 minutes, payable in advance): from £70.00 / £105.00
Discounts are available for trainee counsellors.
I also offer a limited number of concessionary sessions, for example for those on lower incomes or trainee counsellors. If this applies to you, please feel free to get in touch so we can discuss current availability.
Fees for reports or letters provided in support of clients are agreed on a case by case basis following discussion.
When I work
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