Linda Quested

Hello and welcome to my profile page. If you are considering counselling then I hope I can help you. 

I understand that deciding to try counselling is very private and personal, and that "having therapy" can often feel like a last resort. Not knowing how counselling works, and who to choose, can make the decision even more daunting.

Counselling offers you a safe, confidential space to talk - a place where you will not be judged or told what to do. It can be a huge relief to talk about what is happening to you, and how you really feel to someone who is professionally trained to listen. I can help you explore and understand your feelings, giving you a new perspective and confidence in your life and abilities.

Depending upon the issues you are facing, and what you would like to do, we can work together for a number of weeks or longer term. This flexibility allows you to go at your own pace to gain maximum benefit from the counselling process.

I am a fully qualified, BACP registered and insured integrative counsellor, trained in psychodynamic, existential and person centred counselling theories and practice. What this means is that I am able to work in a variety of ways according to your specific and individual needs.

I have many years of experience in health and social care having worked with the NHS, Samaritans and the Alzheimer's Society. As well as private practice, I am a counsellor at Mind, the leading mental health charity. I have also taught Therapeutic Counselling to trainee counsellors in Bedfordshire.

We are all unique individuals and your choice of counsellor is personal to you. I believe that the therapeutic relationship is fundamental to your counselling experience - so it is important that you choose a therapist who feels 'right'. I offer a reduced rate of £35 for a first assessment session of one hour. This gives us an opportunity to meet, explore what brings you to counselling and to see how we feel about working together. Should you wish to continue, subsequent 50 minute counselling sessions will be £50. I also offer discounted rates for student counsellors.

What happens next?
If you decide you would like to proceed, then please feel free to email, call or text me. If I am unable to take your call, please leave a message and I will get back to you as soon as possible. I will ask you what is troubling you in order to assess if I am suitably qualified to help you. If I feel confident that I can support you, I will arrange an appointment within one week for an initial assessment of one hour. This appointment gives you opportunity to tell me more about your concerns, ask any questions, discuss what you would like to achieve, look at how many sessions you may need and the general 'nuts and bolts' of counselling. If you are happy to continue, we will set up a second session and I will arrange to see you weekly from there.

• Initial assessment £50 for one hour
• Subsequent sessions £50 for 50 minutes
• Student counsellors £35 for 50 minutes 

Payment can be made by bank transfer.