Hilda Burke

I currently have both day time and evening availability for online work. Wednesday afternoons are generally for in-person sessions but I have some flexibility around that.

My approach is gentle, allowing you time to get comfortable and unfurl. The first step is to develop trust in the therapeutic relationship between us. Without that, therapy really cannot go very far. From here, we can start to explore what’s not working in your life, the areas that are causing anxiety or disruption, and how you might like to change things.

Often, clues to understanding the present can be found in our history: the way we’ve been brought up, the events that have shaped us. While I believe that the present is the only place we can truly focus our energies, if the past is adversely affecting your present, then it needs to be addressed.

I believe that the expert on you is… you! So why go to a therapist? Well, sometimes our own insight and intuition get clouded over the years. Whether that’s through parental voices, peers, teachers, friends, or partners (who all have their own different ideas about how we should be), our wisdom about ourselves can sometimes go awry.

My aim is to help you clear the obstacles that prevent you from listening to yourself, being true to yourself, and living an authentic life. The ultimate goal of therapy is to facilitate you in becoming your own therapist, fostering lasting self-awareness.

I believe that there is no single "right" way to approach therapy, because there is no single way to be fulfilled. Each individual comes to therapy with a unique set of circumstances, history, and internal resources. 

My therapeutic approach is grounded in a deep, person-centered philosophy.  My goal is to help you clear the obstacles—the noise, the habits, and the anxieties—that keep you from listening to yourself and living in a way that feels true.

My Approach in Practice:

Curiosity over Avoidance: We live in a world that often encourages us to numb or escape from "negative" emotions like anxiety, boredom, or sadness. I encourage my clients to do the opposite: to approach these feelings with gentle curiosity. By leaning into what you are experiencing rather than turning away, we can often discover the underlying information these emotions are trying to communicate to you.

Navigating Modern Pressures: I have a particular interest in how the pace of modern life—and our constant connectivity—affects our mental health. Whether you are struggling with smartphone dependency, the overwhelm of modern news cycles, or simply feeling "disconnected" in a hyper-connected world, I offer a grounded, realistic approach to reclaiming your attention and your peace of mind.

Philosophy and Self-Discovery: I often incorporate philosophical inquiry into our sessions, encouraging you to reflect on what a "good life" looks like for you, specifically. Therapy is a process of untangling your authentic self from the expectations of others, and I am here to support you in that process of becoming more fully yourself.

If you are feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or simply curious about what lies beneath your current challenges, I invite you to get in touch. We can start a conversation, at your own pace, to see how we might work together.

Coming to your first therapy session can seem very daunting. I understand – I’ve been there! You might not know what to expect, or you might worry about having your secrets unearthed…

The first session allows me to get to you know a bit.. And for you to get to know me a bit.. In order to see if we might have a good therapeutic relationship. Like with any other relationship, it's mostly a question of chemistry.  I recommend potential clients to try and see at least 1 - 2 other therapists and decide who might be the best fit.