What I Offer
Integrative Counselling for Adults in Newton Abbot and South Devon
Everyone brings something unique to counselling, and I aim to meet each person where they are. My style is warm, supportive and down to earth. I listen without judgement and offer a respectful, calm space where you can talk, reflect and find new ways forward, in your own time and at your own pace.
I work one to one with adults from across Newton Abbot, Torquay, Teignmouth and the wider South Devon area.
Integrative Counselling
I use an integrative approach to therapy, which simply means I draw from a range of techniques based on what suits you best. Everyone is different. What helps one person may not help another. Together, we will explore what feels right for you.
Here is a look at some of the methods I use and how they might support your journey.
Person Centred Therapy (PCT)
This approach places you, the person, at the centre of the process. It trusts that with the right support you can gain your own insights and make meaningful changes. I offer empathy, respect and a safe space where you can begin to understand yourself more fully and move toward healing. For many therapists, this is the foundation upon which all other counselling approaches are built.
For more information:
https://www.bacp.co.uk/about-therapy/types-of-therapy/person-centred-counselling/
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a well known and widely researched approach that explores how your thoughts, feelings and behaviours interact. It can be especially useful for anxiety, low mood, stress, PTSD, unhelpful habits and many other areas. CBTI (CBT for Insomnia) can be particularly effective for those with sleep problems.
By gently shifting patterns of thinking or behaviour, many people find real and lasting change. Simple mindfulness techniques are often included to support your awareness and focus.
For more information visit the Very Well Mind site:
https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-cognitive-behavior-therapy-2795747
Walk-and -Talk Therapy
Counselling does not have to happen indoors. Some clients find it easier to talk while walking in nature. I offer walk and talk sessions in peaceful local spots like Bradley Park, the Templer Way or along the River Teign.
Time in nature can ease anxiety, boost clarity and make difficult conversations feel less intense. These sessions are gentle, grounded and always adapted to your pace.
Spiritual and Philosophical Exploration
Many clients come with deeper questions about meaning, connection or purpose. If you find yourself wondering why you are here, what truly matters or how to grow spiritually, this may be something we can explore together.
These sessions offer space to reflect on life’s bigger questions in a safe and respectful setting, whether or not you follow any particular belief.
Visit here and click on “Existential Therapy” for a brief description (although we need not be restriced this particular school of thought):
Narrative therapy
This approach invites you to view your life as a story, one in which you are the author. Together, we look at the stories you have been told, the ones you have internalised and the ones you want to rewrite. It can be a powerful and creative way to take ownership of your path.
Writing, journaling and reflection may be part of this process if you find them helpful.
Motivational Support and Behaviour Change Therapy
Many people want to make a change in their life but feel stuck. Whether it is breaking a habit, building a healthier routine or finding the motivation to start something new, this struggle is incredibly common.
Through my support, you can explore what is getting in the way of the change you want. You may be battling feelings of low motivation, fear of failure or past experiences that make change feel harder than it should. This is a space to explore those challenges with compassion and curiosity, not criticism.
I draw on methods such as Motivational Interviewing and CBT to support meaningful, sustainable change. These approaches can help you strengthen your internal motivation, understand your own patterns more clearly and begin to make choices that align with the life you want to live.
This is a gentle and empowering area of work. You do not need to have it all figured out. If there is something you want to change in your life, but you are struggling to do it alone, counselling can help you explore what is holding you back and find a way forward that works for you.
What's the most important thing for counselling to be successful?
There are so many kinds of therapy out there that it can feel overwhelming. But a huge body of research shows that the single most important factor in counselling is not the type of therapy but the relationship between client and counsellor.
Think of therapy like a journey. You are the driver. I am here to help read the map. The route we take matters, but so does feeling supported, safe and understood along the way.
My Personal Interests
Nature and movement are important parts of my own wellbeing. I enjoy sailing and climbing and outdoor exploration. These activities ground me and offer new perspectives. Clients with similar interests sometimes find we connect well through shared values like resilience, curiosity or the desire for freedom and meaning.
These are not part of therapy in any formal sense, but if you are someone who finds strength or peace in the natural world, you will be in good company here.
Experience and Volunteering
I have had the privilege of supporting people through challenging times in several community settings, including:
Rowcroft Hospice, Torquay where I provided bereavement support.
Shekinah Mission a South Devon charity supporting trauma/PTSD and recovery.
TDAS the Torbay Domestic Abuse Service.
Sailing Tectona, a project that helps people in recovery through sailing experiences.
These experiences have helped shape the way I work and deepened my commitment to providing calm, respectful and effective support.
Ready to Talk?
If anything here resonates with you, or if you are just curious about how therapy might help, I would be happy to hear from you.
We can begin with a free initial phone call and from there decide whether to book a free first session where we can talk more fully.
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