Abigail Durling

Current availability 930-2 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday online - for adult counselling and psychotherapy only.

My name is Abby, I am experienced counsellor, ex teacher and mother. Having spent much of my career working with children and young people I have gained experience in supporting parents and the wider family. I have a wealth of knowledge in child development, attachment and the importance of the whole family in raising children. My years of experience working with children have taught me that as much as I can help your child in that one hour a week we have together provided the parent with my time can help the chid in the many more hours they spend with the parent. 

I am a person centred counsellor, that means I see you as the expert, this applies to how I see you as a parent also, no one knows your child better than you. I am a grounded, authentic, professional. My aim is to provide space for parents to bring their parenting and family challenges, receive support and leave feeling held and empowered, giving them more capacity to consciously parent their children.  

Sessions are 50 minutes in length. I will ask you to complete a questionnaire and contract prior to our first session. First sessions will cover confidentiality and look at your requirements.

I hold a small number of concessionary spaces for full time carers and those on income assessed benefits - £35 per session - please get in touch to discuss.

Available Mon/Thurs/Fri 9.30-2

I have extensive experience in schools, working as a counsellor in both primary and secondary as well as previously as a primary teacher. I have extensive professional and lived experience of SEND including complex neurodivergence and life limiting illness.

I am an accredited member of the Â鶹ԭ´´, and fully qualified children’s counsellor as well as a qualified teacher, I have regular safeguarding training. I am experienced in the school system, SEND system and family courts processes. I have worked with numerous school and children’s counsellors and regularly aid my supervisees in keeping their clients safe, through thoughtful, ethical decision making. , I deliver play therapy trainings within my workplace

I also have experience in setting up services in school and hospice settings as well as my own private practice, creating contracts and processes, conducting assessments and working with parents.

I am a person centred counsellor. My approach is down to earth, keeping the child as the focus, whilst holding in mind safeguarding and ethics. My work with young children is play based, using the child centred play model, I set up and run children’s therapy sessions in a variety of settings. I often work with families experiencing bereavement, family breakdown and dysfunction, I am experienced in holding boundaries in the most complex situations.

In supervision I use the seven eyed model to consider the client, relationship and work in a more holistic way, helping you to remain ethical, empowered and deepen your practice with children and young people.

I am offering 1 hour and 1.5 hour supervision sessions monthly or adhoc, I offer a free introductory call to see if we are a good fit. A first session will involve some initial contracting and an opportunity to explore your case load and wider context as well as exploring some client presentation. Sessions are conducted via Zoom and charged at £40 per hour.