Holly Carter (MA) MBACP
About me
I have enjoyed over a decade’s experience working as a relationship counsellor and therapist. I work with couples, individuals and families. I also work as a clinical supervisor. Alongside my private practice, I have worked for Relate for many years.
When working with clients, I offer a flexible approach which allows for weekly, fortnightly or monthly sessions. Appointments can be arranged for a regular fixed day and time, or be more casually set up to fit in with other commitments.
I also offer the opportunity for intensive counselling – which may be appropriate in a time of unexpected family or personal crisis, or when there are geographical challenges which make intensive sessions a more manageable option. Such work might comprise extended morning and afternoon meetings over two or three consecutive days.
I very much value the opportunities provided when seeing clients face to face, but I also work remotely, by telephone or internet (zoom, skype). ‘Remote’ counselling is not always a safe or effective way of working, and I will always discuss the possible advantages and disadvantages of this approach.
Please visit my website for further details.
My post graduate training includes a Masters Degree in Relationship Therapy. I am a registered member of the BACP. Prior to re-training in this field I worked for twenty years in London as a barrister, practising family law.
The essence of my practice from home is to offer a safe, peaceful and very private space in which to talk and think about the things which are causing unhappiness, grief or anxiety, or simply preoccupying one’s everyday thoughts.
I work in a tranquil detached annex, with a view of an orchard, and fields beyond. It is a calm and gentle place in which to discuss the private and the personal.
I also work from lovely consulting rooms in central Exeter, just off Magdalen Road.
There is no ‘usual’ or ‘common’ issue brought by clients, since we are all different, and respond to and experience, life’s events in unique ways. I will encourage you to think in depth about what concerns or upsets you, and I will help you to identify what might need to change, or what might benefit from being understood differently, in order to provide some relief. I find that it is often helpful to understand how it came to be that a particular issue, person or theme, has come to have so much power or influence over us.
My work with couples has looked at multiple and various experiences. A relentless and exhausting pattern of conflict can result in two very lonely, sad, and sometimes angry, people. If the conflict can be understood, and managed, differently then the relationship may start to recover. Particular events can similarly stress a relationship to breaking point – for example: an affair, debt, addiction, bereavement, any breach of trust. A relationship will need time and attention in order to repair itself.
Families come in all shapes and sizes, and are never ‘normal’! It is never too early, or too late, to try to understand or improve the relationships which are given to us.
When working with a couple or a family I may suggest separate meetings from time to time.
First meeting
If you think that I might be useful to you, please do get in touch by email or telephone. I will generally be able to respond within a few hours, and will try to arrange an appointment within days, if required. A first meeting is an opportunity to find out whether you feel comfortable talking with me, and whether I can actually be useful and helpful to you. I offer a discounted rate for this initial session.
Training, qualifications & experience
- MA Degree in Relationship Therapy
- Diploma in Supervision
- Fully qualified Relate Counsellor, Supervisor & Trainer
Member organisations

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
BACP is one of the UK’s largest professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy. Therapists registered with the Association fall into a number of different membership categories such as Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP and Registered Member MBACP (Accred), each standing for different levels of training and experience. MBACP (Accred) and MBACP (Snr Accred) members have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by the Association.
Registered members can be found on the BACP Register, which was the first register to achieve Accredited Voluntary Register status issued by the Professional Standards Authority. Individual Members will have completed an appropriate counselling and/or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but will not appear on the BACP Register until they've progressed to Registered Member MBACP status.
All members are bound by a Code of Ethics & Practice and a Complaints Procedure. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
Accredited register membership

Accredited Register Scheme
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
Fees
When working in Exeter I charge £60 for a one hour meeting - whether a couple, an individual or family. I offer a discounted first session for £25.
When working from my home near Copplestone in mid Devon, I charge £50 for a one hour meeting. I offer a discounted first session for £25.
When working remotely, over the telephone or video call I charge £50 for a one hour meeting, with a discounted first session for £25.
I will always consider concessions in particular circumstances.
Further information
When working from my home, clients should be aware that my consulting room is situated on a (very peaceful and beautiful) smallholding, which is only accessible down a rural track which is rough in places.