Judy O'Brien

Hello and welcome to my practice.

There may be times in life when you are faced with emotional difficulties and not sure which direction to take or who to reach out to.  Anxiety or depression could be all consuming and unwanted thoughts become overwhelming. You may have support from those around you and gain comfort from them, although sometimes you may not be able to share what you want to talk about. It's times like this that counselling may help.

I am an experienced Psychotherapeutic Counsellor and an accredited member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP).  I work one-on-one with clients using a relationally-humanistic oriented approach. I also work with couples offering a credible, high-quality, personalised service.  

I can help you make sense of what you are experiencing; make the changes you desire and reach better ways of being when problems feel overwhelming.  I can support you when you cannot see a different or better future. Perhaps you have unexplained anxiety or have lost sight of who you are, or what you want or need in life. You may feel lowness, confused, or derailed by events past or present. You may be struggling with issues that are causing you distress, going through a time of change, or reeling from loss. 

I am primarily compassion focused and relational in my work. A style that places great emphasis on the relationship between client and therapist.  In my therapy room you will always be recognised as the sole focus and the most important element in the therapeutic process.   I acknowledge that we all experience life events differently.  Hence, I recognise you as the unique individual you are and I  work to meet your individual needs.  I accept all you - just as you are.

Understanding and exploring thoughts, feelings, beliefs and behaviours in a safe, supportive, non-judgemental environment can make a huge difference to wellbeing and can bring a sense of "lightness.”  My aspiration in sessions is to support you in feeling validated, accepted, heard, understood, known.  The experience of such compassion aims to help you to begin your journey towards releasing some of your heaviness, bringing that longed for sense of relief.  

As well as working with adult individuals, I work with couples and Two’s, where I offer an approach that has successfully supported couples who want to change areas in the relationship where conflict repeatedly occurs and where couples want to find more effective ways of connecting and communicating.

Feedback from a couple recently worked with….

“Thank you for providing such a safe space for us to voice our feelings, and for making us feel truly listened to and understood.   I felt immediately at ease and you gave me the confidence to approach a distressing and painful situation with positivity, hope and trust.   We have both learnt a lot about each other during our sessions, and they have given us tools to communicate, an understanding of our own personalities and how we can develop our relationship to a deeper level.

I have and will continue to recommend you to my friends and family, as I genuinely feel like I’ve found myself and my inner strength. 
With all the thanks in the world.”

Embarking on counselling may feel daunting. In training, I also sat in the client chair and remember only too well how overwhelming it can be. My lasting memories of the experience are of feeling safe and supported in a caring counselling relationship. Now, I find it immensely rewarding and a privilege to witness the unfolding of a client's trust in their own capacity to heal, survive and thrive. 

If you are interested in embarking on counselling therapy you might be wondering what happens next.  Well, we may have a brief telephone call to discuss what to expect, clarify costs and arrangements. You will then receive some paperwork from me with further information before booking that first session. Sessions may be taken weekly or fortnightly, or at agreed intervals that meet your needs. There is no obligation to commit to a set number of sessions. I work in Wilmslow, Macclesfield and on line.

I look forward to hearing from you.

General anxiety.  Social anxiety.  Low self-worth & low self-esteem.

Specialises in  working with couples and other relationship dynamics, such as parent/teenager; mother/daughter.  

Fee for individuals - per 50 minute session-  £60
Fee for Two's  & Couples 50 minute session -£75 

Do contact me  via email or call via WhatsApp, if you would like to arrange an initial no obligation 15 minute no-fee  introductory chat in which we can explore how we might work together. I look forward to hearing from you.

Fees payable by bank transfer. If bank transfer is not available to you, we can discuss other options.   

MY APPROACH

I am primarily Compassion Focused and Relational in my work. A style that places great emphasis on the relationship between you and I in a therapeutic space, between client and therapist.  In my therapy room you will always be recognised as the sole focus and the most important element in the therapeutic process. I embraces diversity and difference allowing the unique experience of you the client, to be central to the quest to support a more rewarding fulfilling life for you.

I work out of Brighter Spaces in Wilmslow and also in Macclesfield. I also can offer online sessions.