Abigail Baker

I work psychodynamically, which means when we work together we look at what’s going on for you at the moment and what's gone on in your past. We look at your relationships with others and your relationship with yourself, and by doing this you can gain insight and understanding to the reasons for current problems and work towards increasing your capacity to cope with difficulties...current and future. Working this way can help to unravel some of the more deep-rooted feelings that aren't always in our conscious awareness, and in turn, help to resolve them.

I work with people who have a wide range of problems including relationship issues, anxiety and panic attacks, suicidal thoughts, depression, and mental, physical and sexual abuse in childhood as well as bereavement and loss. I also have experience working with people who have diagnosed mental illnesses such as generalised anxiety disorder.

It maybe that you have a specific reason to seek counselling or that you find yourself in the same position again and again, unable to see a way forward and there. My aim is for us to work together to gain a deeper insight and understanding around the reasons for your problems, and to use that insight to learn how to cope with current and future difficulties.

Stonebridge Studios is nestled in a peaceful, historic building just off the bustling High Street in Christchurch town centre.  My therapy room offers a tranquil retreat for individuals seeking comfort and support. Despite being in the heart of the town, the space is quiet and offers a sense of calm and privacy.

For your convenience, there are several car parks nearby within a short walking distance of my therapy room, and Christchurch also has excellent bus links with several routes stopping nearby too. Additionally I am only a 15 minute walk from Christchurch Train Station. 

​Initial Telephone Consultation:

I offer a free 20 minute telephone consultation in which we can have a chat about what has been going on for you at present and whether counselling would be helpful for you at this moment in time. It will give you an opportunity to ask me about what therapy I offer and would give you a feel of what it would be like to work with me. At this stage, if you want to proceed, we will book an initial assessment.

Assessment:

In an assessment I usually invite you to tell me more about what is currently going on for you, a bit about what it's been like in the past for you and what your hopes are from the therapy.

By the end of this session we can then decide together how best to proceed; whether I feel that another initial assessment session is necessary, or if the therapy should be open-ended or whether we agree on a number of sessions, or even if I feel that it would be more appropriate to offer a referral to another service. The assessment appointment lasts for about an hour (an hour and a half for couples). These sessions cost £75.

Individual Sessions:

After the assessment, and in agreeing to work together, we will arrange a regular weekly session time on the same day each week. These sessions last for 50 minutes. These sessions cost £65 per session​.

Couple Sessions:

We will have 4 assessment sessions on total: the first is where I meet you both together and we talk through what has been going on for you as a couple in the present, in the past and what your hopes are for the future, this session will last about an hour and a half. This initial session costs £125.

Then I like to meet you both separately to find out more about you as individuals, we then come back as a group to decide together how best to proceed;  if the therapy should be open-ended or whether we agree on a number of sessions, or even if I feel that it would be more appropriate to offer a referral to another service. Each hour session is charged at £85per session thereafter

Accepting a limited number of supervisees from August 2026 as part of my final stage of supervision training.

I offer supervision online throughout the UK and face-to-face sessions from my therapy room in Christchurch, Bournemouth. I particularly welcome enquiries from trainee counsellors and newly qualified practitioners

Fees

Reduced fee while completing supervision training:

£40 per hour or £60 per 90-minute session.

Fees will be reviewed upon qualification in September 2026.

I am a Â鶹ԭ´´-accredited psychodynamic counsellor with over 10 years' experience and am currently completing an Advanced Certificate in Clinical Supervision, due for qualification in September 2026.

I offer supervision to trainee and qualified counsellors who are looking for a warm, containing and thoughtful space in which to reflect on their work. I believe supervision should be somewhere you can bring not only your clinical thinking, but also your uncertainty, questions, challenges and emotional responses without fear of judgement.

My approach is grounded in psychodynamic understanding and informed by attachment theory and developmental trauma. I am interested in helping supervisees think deeply about their client work, the therapeutic relationship and the patterns that may emerge within and beyond the therapy room.

Alongside supporting ethical and effective practice, I hope to offer a supervisory relationship that feels supportive, reflective and genuinely human. My aim is to create a space where supervisees feel able to slow down, think together and develop confidence in their own clinical voice.

As part of my supervision training, I receive regular supervision of supervision and will qualify in September 2026. I am accepting a limited number of supervisees from August 2026. 

I welcome enquiries from both trainee and qualified counsellors seeking a warm, thoughtful and collaborative supervisory relationship. 

My clinical background is in psychodynamic counselling, with extensive experience working with adults affected by childhood trauma, attachment difficulties, anxiety, depression, loss, relationship challenges and complex emotional difficulties. I am particularly interested in the ways early experiences shape our relationships with ourselves and others, and how this understanding can support therapeutic work.

I offer supervision online across the UK and face-to-face sessions in Bournemouth. As I complete my supervision training, I am currently offering a reduced supervision fee and accepting a limited number of supervisees from August 2026.

My aim is to create a supervisory space that supports both professional development and practitioner wellbeing, balancing reflection, challenge and encouragement.

The first supervision session provides an opportunity for us to get to know one another and explore whether we are a good fit professionally.

We will discuss your current practice, the client groups you work with, your experience level and what you are looking for from supervision. This is also an opportunity for you to ask questions about my approach, supervision arrangements and how we might work together.

For trainee counsellors, we can discuss course requirements and placement expectations. For qualified practitioners, we can think about your current caseload, professional goals and the type of support you are seeking.

If we decide to work together, we can then agree a supervision contract and ongoing arrangements.