Natasha Benjamin

Hi If you have reached this point in reading this profile I want you to know, that I understand that feeling Anxious, Confused ,Sad, Scared or Angry can be exhausting to live with. So I am sending you a welcoming smile, You may not feel there is a great deal to smile about at this time, but know this is fine

The first step can feel hard.

Finding someone who you feel you can open up to and to be really listened to and heard, not feeling you have to over explain your experience away can feel challenging, as sometimes our feelings are not easy to articulate or understand.

Has it become draining or hard trying to explain to others your Anxiety and Depression, or feeling you have to pretend it is not there?

Are you feeling confused because you are in, or have been in a relationship that is restricting but feeling shame or scared surrounding sharing this with others?

Is there family conflicts and challenges which you wish you could navigate with clearer boundaries and confidence?

I understand, there are many things that may contribute to us feeling it is harder to access counselling.  Do you worry that you may have to think about your Tone, Choice of Terminology and Cultural Expression?

Do you worry about Articulating many Discriminations we may have encountered, this may be to do with  Race, Sex, Gender, Sexual orientation?

I want you to know you do not have to hold back within our sessions, please feel free to bring all your valid feelings to our sessions.

I went through the same process myself within my counselling training, not knowing what to expect and feeling a sense of fear, shame, Embarrassed to explore my concerns with someone I did not know.

But once I did with the right counsellor I felt a sense of release and Clarity and understanding of my feelings.

So a bit about me.

Before I trained to be a Counsellor I qualified and worked as a Nursery Nurse with babies and young children. I went on to develop further skills and experience by volunteering my time With Home start Essex over a 9 year period within their Family support/ Befriending service. Through doing these roles and personal life experiences, I became interested in the many varied influences and experiences we have in life. How these life events or experiences can leave you with feelings you may not understand or you feel ashamed or fearful of sharing. This can affect us psychologically and the resulting effect is our Emotional health, which when neglected can then influence our thought processes and Behaviour and feelings surrounding self.

This ignited my interest in counselling.

I then continued to gain trainee hours by working in a Women's Centre affiliated with a Women's Refuge, where I continued once qualified. This then lead on to me having a Involvement and working with Home start Essex Pilot Counselling service. 

Currently I work privately and have had extensive experience within a Domestic abuse charity.  This has increased my understanding and experience of helping clients who have experienced Trauma . Enabling Women and families explore many concerns due to the challenges that present within a abusive relationship.

This is why I feel it is Important to offer a service where you feel heard and understood

I feel passionately about every individual being able to find their voice , to not be ashamed of their feelings and to feel listened to.

All clients are welcome .

I also work with Trainee counselling Students

I look forward to meeting you.

HOW CAN I HELP ?

I can help you with your Anxiety, Depression, Discrimination ,Work Related stress, Abuse, Family concerns , Self esteem/Body Image concerns, Bereavement and with Disability concerns and Self harm..

 I offer Walk and Talk Therapy during the summer months for those who want to Incorporate their Physical with their Emotional needs.

I feel it is Important that people are able to access therapy even if they can not get to the Therapy room or find the Therapy room intimidating .

WHAT CAN I EXPECT?

When you first make contact with me , we can arrange to book in a Assessment session  to get a brief outline of your concerns, what is going on for you. This session is a opportunity to ask questions regarding the work we will do together and for me to explain the counselling process further to mutually agree if we can work together.

After this session and you have had time to process if you would like to proceed with continued sessions, we can then agree a mutual time and Day weekly to continue  these sessions.

How do I work.?

I trained in integrative Therapy which means I do not work in one particular style for every client.

This means I take influence from different theories and negotiate with each Individual client your concerns and a way of working together which suits you.

I offer a space Weekly for 50 minutes, which enables my clients to explore their concerns in a Confidential, Empathetic Relaxing space.

My belief is that you know the answers , the therapy will be facilitated so that you can gain a greater understanding of your emotional triggers, self and behaviour so you can find a way to move forward to a more fulfilling life for you.

How to contact?

You can call me on 07540774667 or by Email natashabenjamin.nb@gmail.com or through the counselling directory send message facility.

My fees are £ 50.00 per 50 minute session week daytime and £ 55.00 for evenings from 7pm and £60.00 for Saturday sessions.

These fees apply to Walk and Talk Therapy also which I offer if desired, this service is only offered in the daytime.

I need to be given  48 hours cancellation notice . You will have to pay for this session, If we can not come up with a mutually agreeable rearranged time within that week.

I am a member of the British Association for counselling and psychotherapy and adhere to their ethical framework.

I have full indemnity Insurance and DBS checked and attend regular supervision and ongoing development with workshops.