A little distance can be a good thing
Some people prefer not to see a counsellor in the same town where they shop, work and do the school run. For Yateley residents, my Sandhurst practice offers a helpful balance: close enough to reach in around ten minutes, but far enough to feel like a separate, private space.
Most people come east across the Blackwater Valley, and the route is straightforward once you have the address, which I share when we book your first session.
Family life and everything around it
If you live in Yateley, you may be in the thick of family life. Parenting, supporting ageing parents, managing a household and holding down work can leave very little room for your own feelings. Over time that can show up as irritability, exhaustion, worry or a sense of losing yourself.
Counselling gives those feelings somewhere to go. There is no right way to begin and no need to have everything worked out. We start with whatever feels most pressing.
Midlife changes and menopause
For women in midlife, change can arrive on several fronts at once. I offer dedicated menopause support, shaped partly by my own lived experience. Together we can look at the emotional side of this transition, including mood, confidence, sleep and relationships, with compassion rather than judgement.
Some women find they feel unlike themselves, or that the people around them do not quite understand. Having space to name that, without being hurried, can be a relief in itself.
Other ways I can help
I work with individuals and couples on a wide range of concerns, including depression, anger, stress, bereavement, bullying and self-worth. My approach blends psychotherapy, coaching and mind–body awareness, including breath and mindfulness, so that we are working with your whole self and not only your thoughts.
If your relationship is part of what feels hard, I also see couples, whether you want to reconnect or to separate with as much care as possible.
If getting out is difficult
If childcare, health or timing make travel tricky, online counselling by Zoom lets you talk from home. Some people find it surprisingly natural once they are settled in a quiet room, and you can always switch to in-person sessions later.
What the first meeting feels like
Many people feel nervous before a first session, and that is completely natural. After our free phone chat, we meet for a 50-minute session in which I will gently ask about what has brought you and what feels most important right now. You can share as much or as little as you like.
Towards the end, we will talk about whether to meet weekly, how we will review things together and what you might want from our work. Some people commit to six sessions before reviewing; others prefer an open-ended arrangement. Nothing is fixed, and you can always tell me if something is not working for you.
Let us have a first chat
If you are in Yateley and something has been sitting heavily with you, book a free discovery call. We can talk about what you are looking for and whether I am the right person to help.
Questions about counselling near Yateley
How far is your practice from Yateley?
My practice in Sandhurst is about 4 miles from Yateley, usually around 10 minutes by car depending on traffic.
Do you only see people from Berkshire?
No. Sandhurst sits right where the three counties meet, so people from Hampshire and Surrey, including Yateley, are just as welcome.
Can I get help with menopause from you if I live in Yateley?
Yes. I offer menopause support in person at my Sandhurst practice and online, drawing on both my training and my own experience.