Sam Robb-King

I know that choosing someone to talk to can feel overwhelming. I want you to know that I will be pleased to hear from you however you want to introduce yourself, and how you are feeling. Below is a little more to help you decide if you'd like to contact me.

Therapy offers a place where you can be your real self; you won't have to pretend to feel a certain way, you won't have to censor yourself, or put on a brave face. I will welcome you just as you are. In return I will offer you a warm, non judgemental space in which we'll collaborate on what you want to achieve, and how you'll get there. 

I find that people's experience of speaking with someone with no personal connection to themselves, is very meaningful. Clients see themselves through someone else's eyes. This can lead to more self compassion and insight into how they might want to move forward.

"Sam was very supportive and kind, making me feel safe enough to open up"

"I appreciated Sam's gentle approach to helping me understand my emotions and thought patterns"

I have learnt that people find talking therapy helpful for many different reasons, including:

• the relief of being able to say what you really think and feel, knowing it won't go outside the room
• knowing you are not alone in how you are feeling and that through counselling you can explore ways to feel better
• starting to understand that there are reasons for why you feel the way you do - and that it's not your fault. You didn't ask to be born into this life, or this world, or the particular circumstances you are experiencing
• finding out about theories that offer helpful ways of understanding, and improving how you are feeling
• experiencing new ways of being in the world that make life more meaningful

One of the biggest factors that makes therapy helpful is the relationship between the therapist and the client, so I will take great care to help you feel as safe as you can when working with me, an example of this is how you feel about silence. For some people silence is very helpful and allows time to think and reflect, for others it can be intimidating. Some clients find that having a relationship in which they can be fully themselves is enough to inspire positive changes, but it is not always enough.

I am an integrative counsellor and psychotherapist, which means I am trained to integrate different theories, dependent on what might be most helpful. Once I have got to know you, and how life is for you now, I may ask if you'd like me to offer some ideas that I think may be beneficial. We can keep reviewing these ideas, some may be useful, others may not be. That’s all part of the process, and in being open to new ideas you may learn new things about yourself. 

I offer sessions weekly or fortnightly (and other arrangements by mutual agreement) to meet your financial and personal circumstances. My main working day is Monday. I have some availability on Wednesdays, and Fridays late afternoon/early evenings.

If you think you might want to work with me please email me or WhatsApp me with a brief outline of why you are thinking of counselling - a couple of sentences, more if you want - I will be pleased to hear from you. Feel free to ask me any questions that you may have at this stage too. I will reply as soon as I can (within 24 hours usually) and, if you would like to take it further we can arrange a 20 minute Zoom or phone call to see if you would like to work with me.

Perinatal (before, during and after birth)

I’ve had over a decade of experience working with adults (men, women, LGBT+ and solo parents) as they navigate pregnancy, birth and early parenthood. I know a lot about the challenges of feeding babies, adapting to new roles, grieving past lives, and struggling with the reality of providing 24/7 care. I have a special interest in working with mums (including non birthing mums) and dads, who have experienced the devastation of a baby dying during pregnancy or after birth. I’ve worked for NCT (the UK’s largest parenting charity), NHS and local authorities in non-clinical roles.

Grief and bereavement

I’ve been a Cruse bereavement volunteer where I experienced how each person’s grief journey is complex, unique and lifelong. Using grief theory, and a strengths-based approach, I offered clients the opportunity to explore how life can be lived whilst grieving.

Sexual abuse

I offer counselling to survivors of sexual abuse in a small charity. Clients most often want to explore how the abuse is affecting how they live their lives, and how they can move forward.

I have a special interest in working with recent or historic baby loss including miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death, and termination for medical reasons. I am especially open to working with Dads or non-birthing parents.