Nicola Townsend
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
I offer a safe, comfortable space (and a cheeky, loveable therapy dog) and a bespoke blend of evidence-based modalities such as CBT, psychodynamic therapy and solution focussed brief therapy to help you gain internal clarity, move past old hurts and direct your life with more purpose and peace.
Here's what some of my clients want you to know about me and how I work
Lady retiree, 67 I saw Nicola for six sessions and she was absolutely brilliant with me. I attended my first session with very low self esteem, confidence issues, relationship issues and past historic issues to deal with. I was severely depressed at that point.
After just six sessions I can honestly say that I’ve turned things around and I’m most definitely heading in the right direction again. She has given me the tools to move forward with a more positive mindset.
Nicola works subtly but concisely and gives “homework” that really makes you think about how you feel and why. Before I knew it, my negative thoughts became positive ones and that’s what we all want and need, a positive outcome.
I would 100% recommend Nicola to anyone experiencing any problems… she’s a star!
Service manager, 37 I've been working with Nic through a range of challenging life experiences that affected my emotional well-being, and it's been transformative. Highly recommend finding an integrative therapist and you won't find better than Nic. Also absolute bonus getting time & cuddles with Pudding the therapy dog included!
Financial advisor, 41 I have seen other therapists in the past and chose this time to work with an integrative therapist. I have found Nicola to be much more proactive in her sessions to help me overcome issues that were impacting my mindset and how I cope with problems. She is down to earth, non-judgemental and easy to be yourself with. Over the last seven sessions Nicola has helped me immensely by building self-esteem, resilience and overcoming a period of depression.
Hospitality worker, 20 Life changing! When i started looking for a therapist i was sceptical of if therapy would work but Nicola has definitely proven me wrong! I cant explain how much she has helped me through an extremely difficult time with my mental health with her calming and comforting ways. I will miss going to our sessions but i will always be able to use the tips and tricks she taught me to deal with anything life throws at me in the future. I couldn’t be more grateful to have found such a wonderful therapist and the therapy dog pudding is the sweetest little companion for while you are there! Thank you so much Nicola 🩷
Business Analyst, 29 From the very first contact with Nicola on the introductory call I felt at ease. I’d been incredibly apprehensive about getting any form of help, but I found Nicola so reassuring and easy to open up to. I’ve worked through a lot of trauma and emotional issues in my sessions when I could barely voice them to myself previously. I honestly can’t thank Nicola enough for the amazing work she’s done and the emotional weights she’s helped me to lift. Most of all I’ve really enjoyed my therapy, Nicola is a wonderful counsellor because she’s a very warm and genuine person to talk to. I will really miss our sessions but I am so proud of how far I’ve come because of them. Thank you so much Nicola, you’ve truly changed my life for the better!
Stock assistant, 27 I'm grateful to have found Nicola when I did. All of my self-esteem and anxiety issues had built up to a point where I couldn't be happy no matter what good things were happening in my life. Nicola helped me explore these issues (and how they were the root of other issues i had) and where they stemmed from, gave me great techniques that I'll take with me, and was a calm supportive presence the whole time. She made me excited to have sessions with her and I was always comfortable with her and Pudding. I can easily say that she's changed my life for the better, and I feel I can now live as the best version of myself.
Operational Manager, 29 I came across Nicola's profile when searching for someone to talk to about my anxiety. What drew me to contacting Nicola was due to the extensive experience detailed on her profile as well as the fact that her dog Pudding would also be present in the therapy sessions. Nicola is incredibly welcoming and instantly made me feel at ease. My experience was nothing but positive and I left each session feeling more clear about the direction I wanted the therapy to go. Nicola was able to provide me with tools to overcome a number of my anxieties and feel more positive in myself. I would highly recommend Nicola to anyone wanting to start therapy.
Nurse practitioner, 41 Thank you. It was a pleasure and an inspiration to have counselling from you.
Solicitor, 38 You are very easy to talk to and hugely insightful. You have helped me to put things into perspective. I'm in a much better head space than I was a week ago.
Sales executive, 23 A life changing and affirming experience. Highly recommend Nicola to anyone. Excellent therapeutic relationship developed over the weeks and although sad to say goodbye I no longer need the support. Job well done. Brilliant.
Graduate, 21 Working one on one with Nicola gave me the confidence and support I needed to work through and explore the problems in my life that I had been afraid to confront by myself. She was incredibly supportive and understanding and made me feel at ease even through my first-session jitters. It has been a true gift to start feeling like myself again and I cannot recommend her enough.
Fundraiser, 27 Working with Nicola was extremely easy. She is an accessible therapist who makes you feel comfortable sharing the things you are struggling with, and provides insightful and pertinent observations that provoke deeper reflection. After my time working with Nicola, I am feeling much more confident and happy in my life, something for which I am incredibly grateful.
IT worker, 27 ..............at the time I didn't know how withdrawn I had become; unable to feel any emotion due to a complicated medical history that had been ongoing for the last 6+ years. Within the first couple of sessions we had already made amazing progress. First of all realizing what was going on inside my head and then making steps to recovery. Over the next few months my emotions had almost fully recovered, I have had some ups and downs but I have only ever needed to contact Nicola and she would book me in within the week.
After attempting a lot of different styles of therapy over the years Nicola has been the only one that I feel has made any progress.
If you would like a therapist who treats you like a human rather than a test subject, I could not recommend a better therapist.
Professional musician, 23 I feel lucky to have found Nicola, she is the perfect counsellor. She is so kind and makes me feel completely at ease. She has been, and continues to be, the person I know will be there to help me whatever emotional difficulty I’m faced with, without hesitation. The thing that really sets Nicola apart, for me, is just who she is. She is open, warm and genuinely cares about her clients. Her guidance and techniques have been completely invaluable to me and my development through the struggles of mental health.
Dr T, former counselling co-ordinator I know, without hesitation, that you are the person who will walk with those who are ready to take the journey to see these parts of themselves. The weak bits that run away in fear, the traumas that hunt down and devour peace, the anger that keeps happiness behind bars. You are the person who is brave enough to stand by your clients’ side and help them to forgive their weakness, strengthen their peace and reconcile their anger. You don’t just talk about making the world a better place, you actually go out and make a real difference.
Mother of 11-year-old If anyone’s looking for a counsellor then I can’t recommend this lady enough, she will go above and beyond and was an amazing help with my 11 year old daughter a few years ago when she struggled with the loss of our dog and had started ripping her hair out daily at school, I was beside myself with worry I didn’t know what to do, the school were useless no help from SEND or SENCO then Nicola stepped in and saved the day for which I’m eternally grateful for If anyone is having any problems with their children and would like some extra help in solving them then this is your lady and she’s worth every penny .
Mother of 12-year-old Nic was wonderful with my 12-year-old daughter who had been suffering sudden and extreme anxiety. Pudding was a big draw and a big hit, but my daughter really clicked with Nic too. Nic’s style is a great mix of informal and very ‘definite’ - she said we’d only need a few sessions and then my daughter would be good to go, and she sent her off with the tools which have been working really well. Five weeks with Nic really helped my daughter, at a very tough time for her. I gather there were lots of laughs too!
Training, qualifications & experience
Certificate in Counselling
Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
Thirteen years' clinical experience gained in both paid and voluntary positions at NHS commissioned organisations.
For many clients it is important to feel that their chosen counsellor has not only got professional experience but also extensive life experience. I feel that the experiences I have had and the personal qualities I’ve gained from them are what makes the difference with the therapy I offer.
I have personal experience which gives me insights into ASD, being a full time carer to a parent with dementia, addiction, disability and chronic pain and being a single parent. Please ask for more information.
I receive monthly supervision to ensure the safety of myself and my clients and am fully insured. I keep up to date on current practice by gaining at least 30 hours’ continuous professional development a year and am an accredited member of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society.
Member organisations
school Registered / Accredited
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.
The National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society This Not For Profit association of counsellors and psychotherapists aim to support the counselling profession, members and training organisations. In 2013 the NCS register was accredited by the Professional Standards Authority under the Accredited Voluntary Register Scheme. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
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
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£50.00 - £60.00
Free initial telephone session
Concessions offered for
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
£60 per 50 minute session face to face or online.
£50 per 50 minute session face to face or online for concessions.
Bank transfer or cash
Home visits available at small extra cost to cover my travelling time.
When I work
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I have no specific set hours and therefore can usually fit you in somewhere within days of your first contact.
Further information
With some clients their whole therapy is person-centred whilst some prefer a more directive approach, this is always client-led. I might integrate basic CBT, psychodynamic therapy (which looks at how past events are impacting on your present) or gestalt therapy for example. I consistently use positive psychology and solution focussed brief therapy with a dose of common sense.
I can also offer short notice, single session therapy. You may not be ready or want to commit to a course of therapy but still feel the need to talk through your problems confidentially and honestly in a way that is not possible with friends or family.
