Nicky Bates

Hello, and thank you for landing on my profile page. Are you currently suffering from anxiety, feel like you are stuck in a rut, overwhelmed, or do you feel that you are not getting the most out of life and what it has to offer? I appreciate that there are a lot of counsellors on here to choose from, so it has to be absolutely the right fit for you!

So why is the TLC Counselling Hub different Then?

The award-winning TLC Hub is expanding over the next few months and will be taking on two new counsellors. This will be an exciting time for the Hub, as we will be able to provide a huge wealth of experience and knowledge to the people of Andover & surrounding areas.

Before entering the counselling world…

I was a qualified nurse for over 20 years.  Unfortunately, the higher up the nursing ladder I climbed the more removed from patients I became.
I decided to branch out into counselling as I felt this was where my fundamental skill set lies. I believed that giving patients a few minutes of my time each day was better than any medication that was prescribed for them. People need to feel valued, people need to feel accepted and they certainly need to feel heard.

Based in central Andover, I offer a non-judgemental approach built on the pillars of Gestalt and Humanistic theory. What this means is that I work creatively with what is happening for you right now. Working in the here and now I offer a calm relaxing environment. It is your time and space, it is about you and for you to discuss whatever is concerning you at this moment in time.

My main areas of expertise are anxiety, overwhelm, loss, bereavement, neurodiversity and trauma work. I have recently been working with teenagers with anxiety, self-harm tendencies, OCD and intrusive thoughts.

I have also been fortunate to work closely with the local council, army, police, and teaching authorities. 

I also offer workplace supervision to a local company.

Student Counsellors

I have over the last few months been approved by local colleges/university to work with level 4 student counsellors. I am really enjoying this newer aspect of my role.

So how do I work!

By using creative tools such as worksheets, metaphors, mini whiteboards, and mood cards in the sessions it can unlock issues from the past in a safe contained and often illuminating way!

I offer online counselling via google meets, teams, Face-Time, WhatsApp or Zoom

So How Can Counselling Help Me?

Sometimes life events can become too much and with the 24 - 7 lives we now lead it can start to impact in all areas of our lives. Counselling can help identify, clarify, and often even simplify problematic thoughts and feelings.

In life and in therapeutic encounters we can find ourselves going around in circles, being unproductive or procrastinating about the things, which we should be doing or those that we want to do. The process of therapy allows us to not simply note these patterns and habits but offers us the space to creatively think about them, find new more flexible ways of adapting.

Creativity is everywhere in life, it is within our minds and our souls and developing it adds to our sense of self, our placement within the world and gives us purpose and meaning. By working creatively it can also help us unlock our true potential and bring about an awareness of self.

Awareness = Choice = Change

Counselling offered to all!

I take pride in making my services accessible to all sectors of the community and I work with teenagers 15+, I also hugely welcome clients from the LGBTQ+ community.  I also welcome and work very well with Neurodiverse clients, and have had some amazing break throughs. These individuals had been written off by a society that just didn’t understand them!

My proudest moment to date is getting three young adults back into education 2 in college and 1 in uni! They are now excelling in courses that are right for them.

I believe diversity and equality should be embraced and encouraged and not seen with disparity. Never write any one off! 

I have worked very closely with clients who have suffered from

• Abuse- sexual-mental-physical
• Addiction-drugs-alcohol
• Anxiety & Panic Attacks- GAD
• Bereavement-grief-loss-sudden death child/adult
• Bullying
• Cancer
• disability
• discrimination
• Low self worth-self esteem
• Self Harm
• OCD
• Bipolar
• Split Personality Disorder
• PTSD
• Suicidal Tendencies
• Exam Anxiety
• Intrusive Thoughts
• Neurodiversity
• ADHD
• Autism

What to Expect in Your First Counselling Session

I offer an initial face to face or telephone/Zoom consultation for half an hour at the cost of £20. This is to explore what is concerning you at this moment in time, and whether you think my style of counselling is the right fit for you. I call this a meet and greet.

If you do decide counselling is for you then, I offer regular sessions 50 minutes in length at a cost of £50.00 per session. I Currently have availability Monday-Thursday with some evening appointments available.

I now offer online counselling either via WhatsApp, Skype, Zoom or Face-Time. This is to enable more accessible counselling.

Ample parking space provided.

Concessions for low income earners/elderly, young people and a discount for students with valid NUS are available.

I am a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. I hold full professional indemnity insurance and a current enhanced DBS.

The TLC Counselling Hub is registered with Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) and protects all client data in line with the current General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) guidelines. For more information and to read my privacy policy please visit my website www.tlccounsellinghub.co.uk

Finally it is all about you!

I love working creatively with my clients. To watch them grow and transform is what counselling is all about for me.