Virginia Stirling

I believe that when you share what's going on for you within a consistently supportive and non-judgemental environment, you will be able to start making the changes you want to make or simply better understand how you really feel about things. Counselling is not about telling you what to do or giving advice but it is about offering to see and feel things from your point of view, to 'get alongside you' offering encouragement for a happier future.

I am a National Counselling Society (NCS) Accredited Registrant Therapist and Clinical Supervisor; experienced in working with young people, adults and couples from a range of backgrounds; including working with those experiencing anxiety and depression, bereavement, relationship issues, panic attacks and survivors of violence and abuse. I work in a person-centred way offering a confidential, supportive and non-judgmental, safe space for you to share whatever is on your mind.

My counselling approach:

I appreciate and respond to all of the clients that I work with as individuals and tailor my therapeutic approach to match their needs. I place a good deal of emphasis upon working within the Humanistic Model of counselling, offering a person centred approach; listening and helping the client to explore any problems that they may have; offering acceptance and support to help address feelings resulting from trauma, of emotional low mood and symptoms of depression and anxiety. I also work, where appropriate, with other Models of counselling, including:

-Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) techniques to help clients overcome habitual negative thinking and find a more positive way forward;

-Mindfulness to help clients to manage over-thinking and spiralling of thoughts, introducing calm and clarity

-Psychodynamic work, helping clients make sense of the past, bringing understanding and acceptance to the present.

Getting in touch:

Taking the first step towards getting counselling support can be scary and I am more than happy to talk on the phone with you before we meet to explore what you are seeking help with and for us to decide whether we should meet for an initial session to see if the counselling relationship will work for you. After that, if we both feel that counselling will be beneficial for you, we can agree to meet on a regular basis. Alternatively, please email me and I will respond.

How much counselling might I need and when is it available?

I offer short and longer term therapy so you don't need to worry about deciding how many sessions might be helpful in the first instance, we can discover that as we work together.

Safeguarding

I hold advanced CBS check certification and abide by the ethical framework of the National Counselling Society. I am also registered with the ICO and abide with current data protection requirements.

Initial Phone session: approximately 30 minutes: Free

Counselling session of 50 minutes - £60

Couples counselling session of 50 minutes - £75

Trainee Counsellors:

Initial session: Free

Counselling sessions: £45

My private and comfortable counselling room is easily accessible, on the ground floor and there is parking.