Anne Docherty

I currently have availability for face-to-face sessions on Monday afternoon and early evening. 

Zoom sessions or phone calls have more flexibility on request, currently that would mainly be on Tuesdays and Wednesdays in the morning, afternoon or early evening.

I work with adults and with adolescents from the age of thirteen upwards.

I passionately believe that good counselling empowers individuals to find answers within themselves that will enable them to live with their own truth, be on their own side and find healing.

My journey into counselling began when as a teacher of adolescents in a Barnardo’s school, I came to realise that the impact of early life experiences on the growing child continues into adulthood. I witnessed that being played out in individuals from all walks of life when working as a careers adviser within education training and employment and more recently working with adolescents and adults whose pain and anger were expressed in the form of addictions, self-harm and risk-taking behaviours.

I have over twenty-five years experience working with adolescents and adults in a variety of settings including residential care, special and mainstream education, statutory education, employment and training and a hostel for those who would otherwise be homeless.

I have worked with individuals with autism, ADHD and a variety of mental health conditions.

I have also worked at Relate in Reigate as a young person and adult individual counsellor and as a counsellor for students at East Surrey College.

While many of us may, ‘weather’, a variety of adverse childhood experiences, their effects can emerge at various stages of our lives causing troubling and confusing emotions, symptoms and behaviours that interfere with our quality of life.

I offer a warm and caring counselling approach that is respectful and accepting of any issues you may wish to explore in environment that is totally safe and confidential.

My qualifications include a BSc in Psychology, an MSc in Psychology, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy levels I and II, an MA in Integrative Counselling and a Relate Certificate in Counselling Young People and Adult Individuals.

I have training and experience in a variety of counselling models but favour an integrative approach which combines perspectives that include:

Psychodynamic: to explore the unconscious processes that can interfere with everyday life and relationships.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: to explore and address the impact of negative thought patterns on feelings and behaviour.

Systemic: to explore how the sense of self is affected by and affects others within families, education, work and other relational circles.

Sensorimotor psychotherapy: to explore the effects of trauma, developmental and attachment issues as they are held in the body.

This combination of approaches gives me the flexibility and creativity to adjust my counselling style to the unique circumstances each individual brings to counselling.

This initial session provides an opportunity to begin to explore the circumstances that have brought you into counselling and what you would like to achieve should you decide to continue.

It allows us to get to know each other a little without commitment on either side, depending on how effectively we feel we can work together.

it is a 50 minute session charged at £35.