Pauline Forster-Fowler

Accepting new clients (from November 2025)

I offer sessions Tuesday to Friday between 0830 Hrs and 1800 Hrs, later appointments available if required.

I also offer some sessions on a Saturday morning.  

Sessions are 60 Minutes - unless arranged otherwise 

Block bookings accepted if required. 

I see individuals both 'In person' (TS21) and online. I work from my home on the outskirts of  Sedgefield: a beautiful Market Town on the edge of County Durham & online sessions via Teams, WhatsApp or Facetime.

I offer short or long term therapy. Therapy is always at the clients pace and tailored to each wonderfully unique person. Sessions can be arranged weekly, fortnightly or spaced out further to meet your own need/ availability.  

I work with over 18's only. Organisations, Employers.

Please contact me for an informal chat about what brings you to therapy at this time, with any questions or queries, or to book an initial session. 

Life can be challenging, sometimes we all need a safe, supportive space to talk through what鈥檚 on our minds. It can be daunting reaching out for support, however it can also be empowering & a gateway to living life feeling more fulfilled. 

So after many fulfilling years as a Counsellor (Mbacp Accredited) and Clinical supervisor in Higher Education, I am delighted to working in private practice offering support to my local community and further afield, offering such a space for expert support with a personal approach.

Throughout a career dedicated to helping others, I have witnessed first hand the value of empathy, careful listening, and genuine connection鈥攓ualities that now form the heart of the service.

The decision to leave Durham University and open a private practice came from a desire to offer people greater choice and flexibility in accessing meaningful support. With extensive experience working alongside a diverse range of clients, of all ages and life stages, and from all over the world, I wanted to create a space where individuals and practitioners alike feel welcomed, understood, and supported on their unique journeys.

I qualified as a counsellor in 2004. As a M麻豆原创 Accredited Counsellor and qualified Supervisor I have a depth of experience, expertise, instinct and curiosity. My approach is Integrative, grounded in Person- Centred, and has evolved from training & experience gathered and gained during this most fulfilling career: providing me the privilege of sitting alongside clients, being part each persons unique journey. 

CLOSE Counselling & Supervision offers confidential counselling sessions for individuals seeking help with past trauma & attachments, Women鈥檚 well-being & menopause, Men鈥檚 Mental health, low mood, loss or simply a space to explore personal growth and wellbeing. With a warm and professional approach, each session is tailored to meet your unique needs鈥攈elping you find clarity, resilience, and a renewed sense of balance.

Recognising that life can be incredibly challenging, often unpredictable, therefore natural that this can bring up emotions, feelings, memories, wonders and worries and would benefit from a space 鈥榡ust for you鈥� to explore, unpack & unpick.

My practice is rooted in empathy, curiosity and respect for your unique story. I offer you an approach, that will tailor therapy to your unique needs. Together, we can explore your experiences, patterns, and emotions鈥攎aking sense of what鈥檚 happening. I believe therapy can be a powerful way to make sense of life鈥檚 challenges, heal from past wounds, and move toward greater clarity and self-belief.

My style is gentle & instinctive, my personality a little qwerky! I offer you the healing power of being met in a safe, confidential  space without judgement.

For fellow practitioners, CLOSE provides clinical supervision, offering guidance, reflection, and professional development in a supportive environment. Whether you鈥檙e training, newly qualified or experienced, effective supervision is a vital part of ethical and sustainable practice

Please contact me to arrange a convenient time for a free 15-minute phone call. I acknowledge that reaching out for support can be daunting, therefore this session will be a gentle assessment: an opportunity to explore what has brought you to counselling, your therapeutic needs & goals if you have them, ask any questions you may have & to see if we are comfortable in working together, only then will we discus when & how you would like to meet, or we can arrange a 60-minute charged session, with more time & space to start our work together. 

It is always your choice whether to engage in further sessions, counselling may be short or longer term, the choice is yours.

What I can help with: Academic stress, Culture shock, Imposter Syndrome, Homesickness, Leaving home and integrating into a new environment or impact of Children leaving home, Managing University life/ career changes/ adapting to different life stages.

All stages of Menopause & Women鈥檚 health, Attachment, Bereavement/ Loss, Bullying, Depression, Employment, Identity, Isolation, Men鈥檚 Wellbeing & Health, Personal development, Redundancy, Relationships, Self-doubt, Self-esteem, Self-harm, Spirituality, Stress.

This list is not exhaustive. 

Prior to our Initial session I will provide you with all relevant information about session timings, fee鈥檚 & payment system, Confidentially & Cancellation policy. I will happily discuss all processes when we speak or meet and can answer any questions of queries you may have as/ when required.

Currently Available for new Supervisee's (November 2025) 

I offer sessions Tuesday to Friday between 0830 Hrs and 1800 Hrs, later appointments available if required.

I also offer some sessions on a Saturday morning.

Sessions are 60 Minutes - unless arranged otherwise (option of 30/ 90 minute sessions) 

Block bookings accepted if required.

I see individuals both 'In person' (TS21) and online. I work from home in Sedgefield: a beautiful Market Town on the edge of County Durham & online sessions via Teams, WhatsApp or Facetime.

Sessions can be arranged weekly, fortnightly or spaced out further to meet your own need/ availability/ requirements.

I work with over 18's only. Organisations, Employers.

Please contact me for an informal discussion,  with any questions or queries, or to book an initial session. I am happy to answer any questions you have or provide any further information you feel would be helpful and supportive. 

I believe my role as a supervisor is to offer a space to speak freely & with curiosity about your therapeutic work. Where it is encouraged & nourishing to hold our gaze on positive experiences whilst supported to be open & courageous to explore all aspects of client time. It motivates me hugely to utilise my experience & expertise to ensure supervision helps you to thrive.

As a 麻豆原创 Accredited Counsellor, qualifying in 2004 and qualified Clinical Supervisor since 2022, the last decade in an Elite Collegiate University: I have supported the development of trainee counsellors, volunteers on placement, & qualified, experienced therapists in an Elite Collegiate University. I also have experience in Adult Mental Health Services, Substance Misuse & Alcohol Recovery Services. I am now turning my energy, enthusiasm & dedication to my private practice.

Acknowledging that working in this arena can be isolating, I believe a positive support network is super important. I therefore offer a supervisory relationship where we meet in a non-judgemental space to collaborate & explore.

My approach is Integrative and Reflective: drawing on experience & training, grounded in the Person-Centred approach that first attracted me to this amazing career path: providing me the privilege of sitting alongside supervisee鈥檚 and clients.

My supervision practice is rooted in developing a collaborative relationship, with empathy, curiosity: respect for your experience, expertise, goals & needs for supervision. I offer you an approach, that will tailor supervision to your unique style and circumstances. Together we can ensure you get from supervision what you need to support your clinical work, professional and personal development, whilst holding in mind what is important to you, a place to flourish and grow.

My style is gentle yet grounded & authentic, my personality a little quirky, spurred on by the joy I experiencing supporting fellow therapists. I am committed to ensuring you are met in a safe, confidential space without judgement, adhering to the 麻豆原创 Ethical Framework and core conditions that underpin our therapeutic alliance.

I offer 鈥業n person鈥� & online sessions from my home in Sedgefield, a beautiful Market Town on the edge of County Durham. Sedgefield is easy to access.

'CLOSE' Counselling & Supervision', is a space designed with care, warmth, & intention. The name 鈥淐LOSE鈥� reflects the location of my practice, and therapeutic relationships that feel safe, respectful and grounded: a place to flourish and grow.

Please contact me for an informal discussion, with any questions or queries, or to book an initial session (session fee as above). I am happy to answer any questions you have or provide any further information you feel would be helpful and supportive. 

Sessions can be arranged weekly, fortnightly or spaced out further to meet your own need/ availability/ requirements.

I will provide you with all relevant information about session timings, fee鈥檚 & payment system, Confidentially Contract & Privacy Notice.

I will happily discuss all such processes when we speak and can answer any questions of queries you may have as/ when required.