Natalie Read

Hi. I’m Natalie, an experienced and accredited counsellor. I offer face-to-face sessions in Somerset as well as telephone and zoom sessions wherever you are based. Despite appearances to the contrary, we all need support from time to time whether dealing with something unexpected or desiring a more positive future. I honour your courage in acknowledging this and wish you luck in choosing the counsellor that is the best fit for you.

What I offer

I bring a blend of all my experiences and trainings to my approach along with my passion, belief and dedication to the work that I do.  Establishing a human to human connection that provides you with a safe place to share and explore at your own pace is fundamental to our success. I offer a compassionate, non-judgemental space that meets you where you are and supports you to find a way forward.

I’ll explore your unique circumstances, beliefs and values before tailoring my approach to suit you. I’ll help you to be more aware of your patterns, emotions and underlying beliefs, connect with your inner wisdom, find healthier coping strategies, new perspectives and the confidence and strength to act on these. I also offer working towards self-acceptance and self-love for a longer term approach to happiness, the potential for healthier connections with others and feeling more resilient to overcome difficulty. Conversely strategies that try to control life or avoid difficulty, are generally ineffective and come with unhelpful side-effects.

What I work with

I’ve worked as a counsellor for over 14 years with adults of all ages and young adults through private practice and as a University Student Counsellor. I also spent over a decade in the corporate world and have experience in organisational psychology, change management, leadership, coaching and executive coaching.

I have worked with all types of presenting issues including: anxiety, self-esteem, depression and low mood, overcoming trauma, coping with transitions and endings, physical illness and disability, building resilience and embracing change, relationship and family difficulties, work and academic difficulties. I particularly specialise in: building self-esteem, working towards self-acceptance and self-love, improving connection to yourself and others, overcoming anxiety to embrace more peace and trust, overcoming difficulty and exploring meaning and purpose in whatever belief system you hold.

My approach

I work integratively incorporating a variety of different approaches including (but not limited to): CBT, mindfulness and various different approaches to trauma into my core training of Psychosynthesis. Psychosynthesis is a transpersonal approach working with the mind, body and spirit.  As well as exploring difficulties, it also holds the possibility of what might be emerging from a higher perspective.

I am also dedicated to finding new ways to bring peace, happiness, joy and meaning into my own life and helping others to do the same. To do so, I have trained in a breadth and depth of reading, workshops and trainings and as a result, offer spiritual coaching and workshops as well as counselling. I am also the author of Being Human - the path to self-acceptance, resilience and happiness.

Counselling sessions are 50 minutes. I charge £55 per session (concessions sometimes available, please enquire) I also offer a free 30 minute introductory session for us to determine mutually if we’d like to work together. It’s important with any counselling relationship that it feels right for both parties and I will always be honest if I believe an alternative form of support may be more suitable. After the introductory session, there is no obligation or pressure to work with me - I value your honesty and ability to make the decision that is right for you.

I work within BACP’s ethical framework for good practice. I work both short and long-term on a one-to-one basis, face-to-face, telephone and zoom. For more information, please contact me or visit my website www.natalieread.co.uk