John Pollard

I offer face to face appointments at my office in Bury St Edmunds and online via Zoom.  As well as my private practice I also work as a staff counsellor and wellbeing workshop leader for Anglia Ruskin University.

I offer both short-term focused therapy and a longer-term approach. I see my way of working as being in collaboration with you, as well as focusing on your own unique individuality.

I believe that empathy and acceptance will help a person be more open and am committed to creating a welcoming, safe, and positive space to explore issues, gain clarity, insight, and understanding, as well as ideas and support in moving forwards.

I do not put pressure on others to do, say, or be, anything. My expertise is in helping individuals find and create their own ways forward.

I have been counselling since 1996 and work in Bury St. Edmunds town centre (with parking onsite).

While I have wide ranging experience in terms of clients and their varying individual issues my approach does suit people who are naturally questioning and curious, about themselves and others.

I believe that problems, such as depression and anxiety, can develop for all sorts of reasons, including a difficult childhood, relationship problems and endings, illness and bereavement, and other significant changes and traumatic events. Problems can also arise seemingly ‘out of the blue’. Sometimes being a sensitive and questioning individual can mean one is vulnerable to emotional and psychological difficulties.

I see mental wellbeing on a continuum: anyone of us can experience problematic feelings and distressing thoughts and all of us can feel bad about ourselves and lose confidence. Therapy can help people feeling overwhelmed in a crisis and also people who have started to question meaning in their life and feel stuck in a rut. Sometimes people seek therapy who are coping well but are looking for support in their journey of personal growth.

I always work in a way that respects an individual's values and beliefs. While I encourage people to take the lead in therapy I would describe myself as actively involved in the counselling process, working alongside people and always in reference to their own goals and understanding of themselves.

I work in a integrative way, which utilises different ideas from different approaches and I am also interested in existential philosophy and therapy, an area in which I have taught and published.

Please get in touch (by phone or email) if you would like to find out more or to arrange an initial session.

My normal fee is £60 but I do offer a limited number of sessions at a reduced rate for people who cannot afford this. This is open to negotiation and done on a basis of trust. Please mention this during your initial contact if it applies.

There is additional information on my website: www.johnpollardcounselling.co.uk

life crisis, ethical issues, personal growth.

Individual Counselling: £60 (for a 50 minute session).

Reduced fees for those on low income.