Sam Robb-King

Struggling with difficult feelings can be lonely, even though you may not be alone in your life. Counselling can help. I know that it can be hard to reach out when you feeling low. I assure you it is okay, I will be pleased to hear from you.

I have professional experience in issues issues arising from conception, pregnancy, birth, baby feeding, neonatal care experience, parenthood, bereavement, baby loss, trauma and sexual abuse. I've worked for the UK's biggest parenting charity for 10 years, have offererd bereavement counselling at Cruse, and counsel adults in a sexual abuse service. Although these subjects are passions of mine, I welcome hearing from all new clients who want to explore how they can feel better.

Counselling 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 where you can work through your feelings.     

I find that people's experience of being listened to and understood, by someone with no personal connection to themselves, is very meaningful. It seems to unlock something that might be hidden. Clients begin to see their potential, have more self compassion and insight into how they might want to move forward.

‘You listened without judging in anyway’

‘Sam is honest, genuine, and willing to go where others won’t’

During my time as a counsellor/psychotherapist I have learnt that people find counselling helpful for many different reasons:

• 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 and are not going mad. And that you are doing a pretty good job of coping already
• 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, and some of us find it a very hard to cope
• finding out about theories that explain the way you feel, and make you feel less alone
• experiencing new ways of being in the world that make life seem meaningful. This might mean exploring ideas including compassion, self-forgiveness, gratitude, and life values.

One of the biggest factors that makes therapy helpful is the relationship between the counsellor and the client, so I will take great care to help you feel safe and confident working with me. How we achieve this will depend on your previous experiences and personality. For some clients having a relationship in which they feel they can be fully themselves is enough to inspire positive changes, but it is not always enough.

I am an integrative counsellor, 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 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.

‘Once it was all out I had the foundation to begin to move forward’

‘Working with Sam made me feel stronger in myself"

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 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. I welcome hearing from all new clients. 

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.