About me
Hello, I'm Mandy. I’m a warm, down-to-earth integrative counsellor. I offer a calm, non-judgemental space where you are always welcome and enough, just as you are. Together we can gently explore what is going on for you, help you make sense of difficult emotions, patterns or experiences, and support you to move forward in a way that feels right for you.
A bit about me: I have been in the client chair in the therapy room myself and I know that it can feel really exposing, especially at first. Trusting another person with some of the most hidden and protected parts of yourself is not an easy thing to do. I can however, assure you of these two things; 1. Whatever you share in our sessions, will be as protected and cared for by me, as it has been by you...and... 2. Whilst therapy can be challenging, the rewards for your real self can be truly transformative. Not always in a showy way the rest of the world can see a mile off, but in quiet, private ways that you feel in your core. Things like having a sense of courage just living in you, rather than having to seek it out. Trusting your own judgement with true inner conviction. Letting go of weights and feelings that aren't yours to bear..... and feeling good about it. Learning to value and voice the true you behind the mask you wear, which allows you to feel safe (and even happy!) to put it down. They say that real change comes from within and having felt the gentle but life changing benefits of experiencing that through my own therapy journey, my absolute favourite thing to do is support my clients in finding and feeling their own unique version of it.
Areas I Often Work With:
Anxiety
Depression
Low self-esteem and confidence
Feelings of guilt or shame
Adult ADHD
Relationship difficulties and infidelity
Workplace stress or bullying
Anger and emotional regulation
Sexuality and identity
Body image and eating difficulties
Domestic abuse
Sexual abuse
Grief and loss
Major life changes
Feeling like you don’t belong
Pet Loss and Animal Bereavement:
I have a particular passion for supporting people experiencing pet loss and animal bereavement. The loss of an animal companion can be deeply painful and is sometimes misunderstood or minimised by others. As a lifelong animal lover, I offer a space where this grief can be acknowledged and supported with the sensitivity and respect it deserves.
How I Work:
As an integrative counsellor, I draw from a range of therapeutic approaches including CBT, Person Centred and Psychodynamic, so we can ensure we work in the way that suits you best.
Our sessions might involve talking things through, reflecting on patterns or experiences, or using practical or creative approaches depending on what feels helpful for you. Throughout the process, you remain in control and we move at a pace that feels comfortable.
I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and my work follows their Ethical Framework, ensuring your wellbeing, safety and confidentiality are always central.
Session Options I Offer:
• Face-to-face sessions in peaceful private surroundings on a working arable farm just outside Bedford, with free parking and wheelchair access.
• Walk and Talk therapy in nature around Barton‑le‑Clay, Flitwick, Ampthill, Silsoe, Woburn Sands and Harlington. These routes are chosen for their natural beauty, privacy and ease of walking.
• Online sessions if you prefer to work remotely.
Next Steps: The best way to see if we might work well together is to arrange a free introductory chat. This is a relaxed 15–25 minute online conversation where you can ask questions, hear a little more about how I work, and decide whether it feels right for you. There’s no pressure to commit to sessions and you won’t be asked to share anything deeply personal at this stage
There is more information on my website, a link to which is at the top of this page. So please feel free to have a look at that too, and I hope to hear from you soon.
Training, qualifications & experience
- CPCAB Level 5 PQ Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling
- BACP Certificate of Proficiency
- CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (Integrative)
- Blue Cross Pet Loss and Bereavement Training
- CPCAB Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies (Person Centred)
- CPCAB Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills (Integrative)
Ongoing CPD, but some recent training includes: Walking Therapy, Inner Child Work, Parts Work, and Creative Working.
I have experience working with many issues, including Anxiety, Depression, Low Mood, Self-Harm, Domestic Abuse, Relationship Issues, Grief & Loss, ADHD, Sexual Assault, Low Self-esteem, Lack of Confidence, Managing Stress and Difficulties in the Workplace.
Member organisations
BACP is one of the UK’s leading professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy with around 60,000 members. The Association has several different categories of membership, including Student Member, Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP, Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Accred) and Senior Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Snr Acccred). Registered and accredited members are listed on the BACP Register, which shows that they have demonstrated BACP’s recommended standards for training, proficiency and ethical practice. The BACP Register was the first register of psychological therapists to be accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA). Accredited and senior accredited membership are voluntary categories for members who choose to undertake a rigorous application and assessment process to demonstrate additional standards around practice, training and supervision. Individual members will have completed an appropriate counselling or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but they won’t appear on the BACP Register until they've demonstrated that they meet the standards for registration. Student members are still in the process of completing their training. All members are bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and a Professional Conduct Procedure.
Accredited register membership
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
Other areas of counselling I deal with
Pet/Animal Loss & Bereavement
Overeating
Body Image Issues
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£55.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
My standard session fee is £55.
I offer a reduced fee for trainee counsellors requiring personal therapy as part of their course.
When I work
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Further information
I have a particular passion for supporting clients with the loss of an animal bond. The connection we create when we share our life with an animal often forms one of the closest and safe feeling relationships we have, and when those relationships end, whether through illness, old age, straying, theft, or other changes of circumstances, the sense of grief and loss can feel understandably overwhelming. Coupled often with an expectation to 'get over' the loss of an animal relatively quickly, and/or a sense that somehow the grief is seen as 'less than' because it is connected to an animal rather than a human being, we can often feel unable to talk about how we're feeling with those around us. So if you are struggling and need some support, please be assured that your experience and feelings will always be met with the empathy and validation that such a special and unique relationship justly deserves.
