Linda Witchell MNCS (Acc).

About me

Are you feeling stressed, anxious have a relationship difficulty, you are grieving, or need to talk about work or home issues? I specialise in helping adults with stress and anxiety issues to learn how to feel better and cope without additional worries about being judged and people who are suffering with bereavement and loss.

Free, initial consultation in Bournemouth or we can just chat on the phone before you make a decision to use my services.  I offer face to face and in some cases online counselling via Vsee. Day/ evening and some Saturday appointments. Telephone  appointments are also sometimes possible. Contact me today and find out how you could feel so much better.

Counselling for Individuals or Couples.

Discover how you can feel so much better by sharing the problem and making some changes in your life.

Hi, I'm Linda.  Just like you I once had to go to see a counsellor for a stress-related issue. It was difficult to make that decision but once I did I only needed to see her for a few sessions and I felt so much better. Just talking to a caring professional person helped me to realise that I had a choice to feel miserable or to change something.

I have now been practising as a counsellor for many years and I have had my own business since 2007. I work full time. I also teach counselling skills. So if you want someone to really listen and help you to feel better I hope you will contact me. I'm friendly and I care about the clients I see.

I'm a retired nurse. During my years as a nurse, lots of people used to come to me with problems because they knew that I was always confidential and I did not make any judgement about them. Over time I completed counselling courses and eventually I started my own business.

Today, I'm an integrative counsellor so that means that I use a variety of approaches to help you meet your needs. This includes approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Person Centered Counselling and more.

I see clients from Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch, West Moors, Ferndown, Wimborne, Parley and surrounding areas. As Bournemouth has good train and road links to London and other areas in the south sometimes people travel outside their local area to see me. Occasionally I even help English speaking people from other areas of the UK and the world with telephone or /Skype/Vsee counselling.

So if you would like help to find solutions to a problem or you would just like to find ways to feel better and get on with your life contact me.

I help people with stress and anxiety, relationship problems, lacking in confidence, family issues, work-related problems, fears, phobias, bereavement and other losses, performance issues such as public speaking, exam stress, driving nerves, and much more.

Benefits

• Free initial 30 min consultation so you can get to know me or we can just chat on the phone first.
• Up to one hour face to face consultations (some counsellors only offer 50 minutes)
• You get a professional, confidential and caring service.
• The service has easy access. Free car parking on the road outside my office. There is also wheelchair access.
• I provide Skype/ Vsee and telephone counselling as another possible option for you (We agree on this method first)
• Convenient appointments during the day or evening at no extra charge.
• No hidden charges. Handouts provided if required.
• I help people who are suffering with fears, phobias, anxiety, and all types of stresses to feel better and develop their health and well-being.

What sort of problems can you help with?

I help people with a wide range of issues by listening and helping you to find the solutions or acceptance that you need.

I often help people:

• with relationship problems to understand themselves and the things going on around them to make better decisions and to communicate better.
• with work-related problems to help people make decisions and build their confidence and performance.
• who have lost a loved one or pet recognise normal grief feelings, find acceptance and progress in life.
• to develop new coping skills.

For all clients I provide a safe place to talk, I listen and I don't make judgements.

Do you specialise in anything?
Yes, I specialise in helping people with stress and anxiety problems and bereavement and loss including pet loss.

Stress/ anxiety issues include relationship difficulties, worrying about your health, fears and phobias, infertility problems, medical problems, moving house, exam or driving nerves, public speaking, getting married and so much more...

I also help a lot of people with problems related to work such as worries about changing career, bullying at work, and coping with increased demands.

As life has lots of pressures I help you to learn easy coping strategies so you can deal better with things in the future.

Do you work full time as a therapist?
Yes, I work full time as a therapist providing counselling, hypnotherapy or business and life coaching. I also teach counselling and hypnotherapy. I have had my own practice since 2007.

Where do you work?
I work from my main office in Bournemouth. I can assist some people from other areas through telephone calls or video through Skype/Vsee at agreed times.

How will I know that you are the right person to help me?
For some people, it is difficult to seek help as you are not sure what to expect or if you will like or trust the person that you are going to see. This is why I provide a 30-minute Free consultation either on the telephone or in person so that you can get to know me and ask me questions. There is no obligation to use my service but I hope you will see that I really listen and I want to help you.

Do you help everyone who contacts you?
No. Although I see a wide range of clients, I assess if I am the right person for you when we first meet. For example, if you have some complex mental health problems a psychiatrist or other psychotherapist might be the best person to help you. Although I have been working and training as a counsellor for many years I recognise that I can't be an expert in everything so some people I recommend seek other help. I want you to have the best opportunity to feel better.

Can you make me feel better?
No, only you can make yourself feel better but I will help you explore the issues and help you discover ways to cope and learn to feel better. You can then use these skills in many other areas of your life when you are no longer coming to see me.

How long are your appointments?
I offer appointments up to one hour. I also offer a Free 30-minute initial consultation in person at a mutually convenient time or via telephone or sometimes via Skype if you would like it.

Do you offer evening appointments?
Yes. Some evening appointments are available.

Do you offer appointments on Saturdays?

Sometimes I can offer a Saturday appointment please contact me for availability

Do you see children?
No. I see adults and young people from age 16 years.

Do you do couples counselling?
Yes, but only when I feel that both people want to come for help and are committed to explore their relationship. I do regularly help a lot of people individually with relationship problems.

Do you offer concessions?
Generally, I do not give concessions because I offer longer sessions than many counsellors, I offer evening and some Saturday appointments, and I sometimes give you relevant information to take away and they are all included in the price. I take credit/ debit cards so this can provide an easier way to pay for some people.

I do provide a discount for student counsellors so please contact me if you require counselling for your course.

How many sessions will I require?
That varies according to the problem that you bring and how you progress. I aim to do brief work but depending on the issue you are seeking help for. CBT typically is 6 - 20 sessions but you may feel that a four or five of sessions may be all you need.

How often do I need to attend?

Weekly is ideal certainly at the beginning but sometimes the gap can be longer and occasionally meeting a couple of times in the first few weeks might be more beneficial.

Where can I find out more?
Visit my website www.awakenthechange.co.uk or contact me today for a Free consultation.