Nicola Ockwell

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Counsellor - Anxiety & Depression MBACP - Accred, Shirley

About me

Simply Talk Counselling & Supervision
Enabling Your Journey to Mental and Emotional Well-being
Nicola Ockwell | Counsellor & Accredited Supervisor
📍 Shirley, Croydon | 📞 07963 706198 | 📧 nicky.ockwell@googlemail.com

 
Welcome
At Simply Talk, I provide a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental space where you can explore life’s challenges and grow at your own pace. With a background in working with complex trauma, anxiety, depression, and a wide range of emotional difficulties, I am committed to helping individuals find resilience, clarity, and empowerment.

I work with private clients as well as referrals from trusted agencies including Bupa, Aviva, IPRS Health, Axa, Pam Wellbeing, Fusion, and Healthcode, Betterhelp. It's worth checking with me if one you need is not listed.

 
About Me
With over six years’ experience at the mental health charity Mind, and in private practice since 2015, I’ve worked with:

Teachers, students, and emergency service professionals
Carers and caregivers
Clients referred through insurance companies
Individuals facing mild to moderate mental health challenges, trauma, PTSD, and more
My approach is client-centred and compassionate, always tailored to meet your unique needs.

 
Qualifications
Postgraduate Diploma in Integrative Counselling Skills (NHS, BACP)
Certificate in Counselling Skills
Accredited Clinical Supervisor
Additional Training In:
Trauma-Informed Counselling
Working with Difference and Diversity
Gestalt Chair Work
Existential Freedom
 
Services Offered
💬 Counselling Services
Individual Counselling – For stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship issues, and more
Youth & Adolescent Counselling – Supporting young people with identity, school pressure, and emotional concerns
Workplace Stress Management – Helping you build resilience, manage work-life balance, and prevent burnout
🌿 Supervision Services
Clinical Supervision – For counsellors, social workers, and mental health professionals
Professional Development Supervision – Focusing on reflective practice, growth, and ethical care
Peer Group Supervision – Facilitated group settings for shared learning and connection
 
My Therapeutic Approach
I use an integrative and relational approach, valuing the therapeutic relationship as the foundation for healing. Every session is tailored to your needs using a blend of:

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Psychodynamic Therapy
Person-Centred Therapy
Solution-Focused Therapy
Gestalt Therapy
Creative and Play Therapy
This flexible, evidence-based framework supports lasting growth and meaningful change.

 
What to Expect
Initial Consultation – A gentle exploration of your goals and needs
Ongoing Sessions – Weekly 50-minute appointments, consistent and confidential
 
Special Focus Areas
Anxiety, depression, stress, and self-esteem
Trauma, PTSD, and abuse recovery
Grief, addiction, hoarding, and loss
Relationship issues, domestic violence, and diversity-related concerns
 
How Therapy is Delivered
I offer therapy in a way that fits your life:

Face-to-Face – In a calming, home-based practice in Shirley (with waiting room)
Online via Zoom – Secure, flexible remote sessions
Telephone – Convenient, accessible support when you need it
 
Why Work With Me?
✅ Experienced & Insured – Trusted professional care
✅ Flexible & Accessible – In-person, online, or by phone
✅ Client-Centred – Your journey is unique – and so is my support
✅ Confidential & Compassionate – A safe, judgment-free space to explore and grow
 
Let’s Begin
Taking that first step toward support is a powerful act of self-care. Whether you're ready to start your journey or just curious about how counselling can help, I’m here for you.

📞 Phone: 07963 706198
📧 Email: nicky.ockwell@googlemail.com
🌍 Search "Simply Talk Counselling Shirley" on Google
📍 Location: Shirley, Croydon

Training, qualifications & experience

Having recently left Mind the mental health charity following six years of service I worked with a varied client base which includes complex cases.

  • working with teachers and students in a school environment
  • clients from the police, fire and ambulance service
  • Carers

My qualifications

  • Post Graduate Diploma - Integrative Counselling Skills ( NHS, BACP)
  • Certificate In Counselling Skills.

Additionally, I have completed training courses in:

  • Working with Difference and Diversity
  • Working with Secondary Aged Young People
  • Gestalt (chair work practise)
  • Hidden Harm
  • Trauma (Counselling)
  • Existential Freedom
  • Working Therapeutically with HIV+ Clients

Member organisations

BACP
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)

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

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
Accredited Register Scheme

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.

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy

Areas of counselling I deal with

Fees

£60.00 per session

Additional information

My fees may vary from stated above if they are for insurance or agency work.

When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Night

I am available weekdays and some evenings although these are more popular.

Further information

I am affiliated with the PFOA

Type of session

In person
Online
Phone

Types of client

Children (0-12)
Young people (13-17)
Young adults (18-24)
Adults (25-64)
Older Adults (65+)
Organisations
Employee Assistance Programme

Key details

DBS check info

In England and Wales, the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS, formerly known as CRB) carry out criminal records checks for individuals working with vulnerable groups, such as children. To find out more, visit gov.uk , or contact this professional directly

Online platforms

Google Meet
Whatsapp
Microsoft Teams
Zoom
FaceTime

Supervision

In person
Online
Phone

I am a qualified advanced supervisor

View supervision profile

Nicola Ockwell
Nicola Ockwell