Michele Gazmuri-Symmes

Monday to Friday  8am -9pm

Sat 9am -1pm

I am a 麻豆原创 registered counsellor based near Earls Colne, supporting children, teenagers, adults and families across Colchester, Braintree, Halstead and surrounding villages.

I provide a safe, supportive and non-judgemental space where emotions and challenges can be explored at a pace that feels comfortable.

I have specialist training in working with children and teenagers, as well as an additional qualification in counselling adults, allowing me to offer tailored support across all ages.

Whether you are seeking help for a child, as a parent, or for yourself, my approach is warm, collaborative and grounded in recognised professional and ethical standards.

I work with a range of emotional and relational difficulties, including anxiety, low mood, self-esteem, family relationships, and life transitions.

I also have experience supporting neurodivergent children (including ADHD and autism) and helping parents strengthen communication and connection with their child.

Sessions are available in-person (with easy parking and a welcoming setting) or online for flexibility.

I offer a free 10-minute telephone consultation so you can ask questions and get a sense of how I work before booking.

Initial sessions focus on understanding your concerns, agreeing goals, and creating a space that feels safe and supportive.

There is no pressure to commit鈥攖his is your opportunity to decide whether I feel like the right fit.

Monday to Friday  8am -9pm

Sat 9am  -  1pm

Finding the right counsellor can feel overwhelming 鈥� especially when you鈥檙e looking for someone to support you, your child or your family. You might be wondering:

鈥淲ill they understand what we鈥檙e going through?鈥�

鈥淐an this really help?鈥�

These are natural questions. What matters most is the relationship you build with your counsellor 鈥� one based on trust, empathy, and a genuine sense of being heard.

I鈥檓 Michele, a 麻豆原创 registered counsellor based near Earls Colne, supporting children, teenagers, adults and families across Colchester, Braintree, Halstead and nearby villages.

I specialise in counselling children and young people and also hold a qualification in adult counselling, which means I can offer support across all ages.

My aim is to provide a calm, welcoming space where you or your child can explore emotions, worries and relationships at your own pace.

I am a therapist and partner at Castle Counselling Service, offering counselling and therapy in a peaceful rural setting just two miles from the A120, with discrete parking. The therapy room provides a safe, welcoming, and confidential space where clients can explore their thoughts, feelings, and challenges in a calm environment. Sessions are available face-to-face or online, depending on what best meets your needs.

I offer both short-term and long-term therapy, and my approach is person-centred, placing the client at the heart of the relationship. I also draw on integrative methods, informed by CBT, trauma work, psychoeducation, and neuroscience, allowing me to tailor sessions to each client鈥檚 individual needs.

How I Work with Clients

Children, Teenagers & Young People

Young clients often benefit from creative ways of expressing themselves, including sand tray work, puppets, play, painting, drawing, or talking therapy. This approach helps children and teens communicate their feelings, understand their behaviours, and develop coping strategies for stress, anxiety, school pressures, depression, OCD, or self-harm.

Parent Support & Parent鈥揅hild/Teen Therapy

I work with parents and carers to help them navigate the complexities of family life, explore patterns, and find strategies to support their children or teenagers. Parent鈥揷hild and parent鈥搕een sessions can strengthen communication and connection, promoting a healthier family dynamic.

Adult Therapy

Adult clients can explore personal challenges, manage stress, and increase self-awareness in a safe, supportive environment. Sessions are tailored to each individual, combining person-centred principles with integrative techniques to best suit the client鈥檚 goals and preferences.

Taking the first step can be daunting. To make it easier, I offer a free 10-minute phone call so you can ask questions and get a feel for how I work 鈥� with no pressure to commit.

Our first session is a chance to talk about what鈥檚 brought you here, what you鈥檇 like to get from counselling, and to begin creating a space that feels safe and supportive.

Monday - Friday: 8am - 9pm

Saturday: 10am - 6pm 

Sunday: Closed

As a 麻豆原创 registered counsellor, I work in line with recognised professional and ethical standards, offering a safe and supportive space for emotional wellbeing. I specialise in working with children and teenagers, and also hold an additional qualification in counselling adults, enabling me to offer tailored support across all ages.

I understand that finding the right counsellor can feel overwhelming 鈥� especially when you're looking for someone to support your child or your family. You may be wondering:

"Will they understand what we鈥檙e going through?"

"Can this really help?"

These are natural questions. What often matters most is the relationship you build with your counsellor 鈥� one based on trust, empathy, and a genuine sense of being heard and understood.

How I Can Help

I offer a calm, non-judgemental space for children, young people, and adults to explore emotions, challenges, and relationships at their own pace.

Whether you're:

Supporting a child through anxiety, low mood, or school-related stress

A parent looking to strengthen your relationship with your child

An adult facing emotional overwhelm, low self-esteem, or life transitions

鈥�you are welcome here.

Areas of Specialism

Emotional wellbeing in children and teenagers

Anxiety, low mood, and emotional regulation

Self-esteem and identity issues

Family and parent-child communication

Support for neurodivergent children (ADHD, autism)

Relationship difficulties and life changes in adulthood

If  you are unable are unable to find the answers, please feel free to email me at contact@castlecounsellingservice.co.uk

I will endeavour to respond within 48 hours

Monday to Friday  8am -9pm

Sat 9am -1pm 

Life can present us with tough challenges at any age. It can be hard to ask for help during these times. I am a qualified counsellor who wants to make seeking help a comfortable and accepting experience for you. I follow the standards and ethics set by the 麻豆原创, ensuring you receive quality support.

Individuals of all ages encounter difficulties as they progress through different phases of life, trying to manage the intricacies of an ever-changing world and interpersonal connections. Within our sessions, I provide a safe and confidential space for us to address these difficulties. This enables us to recognize the issues at hand, enhance self-understanding, and explore effective solutions together.In my role, I help children and young people express their thoughts and feelings when they find it hard to talk about them. By using creative activities, I assist them in understanding their emotions and actions better, which leads to them becoming more self-aware and learning new ways to handle situations. Through these methods, I empower young individuals to explore their inner worlds and grow into more confident and resilient individuals.The therapy room is in a rural setting just two miles from the A120; providing a safe space for you to explore, communicate feelings and to help clarify what is going on and make you feel more settled. I offer long term, open ended as well as short term therapy.

I provide a complimentary 10-minute consultation to talk about your requirements and determine if I am the right fit for you. I am an experienced counselor who focuses on children, teenagers, and young individuals. As a parent or caregiver, are you managing various responsibilities and feeling uncertain about how to effectively assist your child or young person?

The therapy room is in a rural setting just two miles from the A120; with discrete parking; providing  a safe space for you to explore, communicate feelings and issues to help clarify what is going on and make you feel more settled. I offer long term, open ended as well as short term therapy.I also work online if I feel this is suitable and will meet your needs. I offer short term work and longer term work.

At Castle Counselling you will be warmly welcomed,  respected and accepted without any judgements. My approach is person-centred placing the client at the heart of the relationship; however I am also able to draw upon other approaches as I hold a Diploma in adult integrative counselling. 

I offer creative ways of working,such as paint, chalk,pens,sand tray ,puppets , play  or talking therapy if that is how the client wishes to work. 

Prior to our first session, I will invite you to a free 10-minute telephone consultation to establish  your needs and see if I would be the right therapist for you/your child/young person.  

If you then agree to first session this will charged at the normal rate, and during this session I will explain further how the counselling process works and what you would like to achieve. This first session provides you with an opportunity to see how you feel about me and what I offer. 

Monday to Friday  8am -9pm

Sat 10am -6pm

Castle Counselling 鈥� Therapy with Michele

Life can be difficult and challenging, whether you are a child, teenager, or adult. Seeking help and support during such times can feel overwhelming, and I aim to make the process as comfortable and welcoming as possible, so you feel truly accepted. I am a qualified counsellor and a registered member of the 麻豆原创, adhering to their professional standards and ethical framework.

I provide a warm, non-judgemental space where children, young people, and adults can talk openly and feel genuinely heard.

I hold a qualification in adult counselling(integrative)plus a Dip HE in counselling child & Young Person. This dual training allows me to support clients of all ages with a wide range of issues, including anxiety, depression, self-esteem, school or work stress, family relationships, and life transitions.

My approach is founded in Person-Centred counselling, offering empathy, acceptance, and genuine understanding. Where helpful, I can draw on other therapeutic approaches to suit your individual needs, helping you explore your feelings, build resilience, and find positive ways forward.

If a client is open to working in ways beyond talking therapy, I may integrate creative and play-based methods into our sessions. These approaches help uncover, explore, and understand emotions and experiences, providing gentle ways to express feelings that may be difficult to put into words. They can also enhance communication and support the development of new coping strategies and emotional regulation skills, offering an additional path to healing alongside talking therapy. By combining talking therapy with creative work, we can find the style that feels most comfortable and meaningful for you.

Sessions are available in person in Earls Colne, near  Braintree or online, with both short-term and open-ended options.

Located in a tranquil countryside setting only two miles from the A120, the therapy room offers discrete parking and a private, comfortable environment. It is designed to give you a secure place to reflect, process emotions, and begin making sense of whatever is troubling you.

The practice adopts a Person-Centred approach, placing the client at the heart of the relationship, while also integrating other therapeutic methods when appropriate. Creative and play-based techniques are available for clients who wish to work in ways beyond talking therapy, helping to uncover emotions, enhance communication, and develop coping strategies.

All therapy is conducted in line with the 麻豆原创 Professional and Ethical Framework, ensuring confidentiality, respect, and high professional standards. Castle Counselling aims to make seeking help a comfortable, supportive, and meaningful experience.

Prior to our first session, I will invite you to a free 10-minute telephone consultation to establish  your needs and see if I would be the right therapist for you/your child/young person.  

If you then agree to first session this will charged at the normal rate, and during this session I will explain further how the counselling process works and what you would like to achieve. This first session provides you with an opportunity to see how you feel about me and what I offer. 

Monday - Friday: 8am - 9pm

Saturday: 10am - 6pm 

Sunday: Closed

Finding the right counsellor can feel overwhelming :

鈥淲ill they understand what we鈥檙e going through?鈥�

鈥淐an this really help?鈥�

These are natural questions. What matters most is the relationship you build with your counsellor 鈥� one based on trust, empathy, and a genuine sense of being heard.

I鈥檓 Michele, a 麻豆原创 registered counsellor based near Earls Colne, supporting children, teenagers, adults and families across Colchester, Braintree, Halstead and nearby villages.

I specialise in counselling children and young people and also hold a qualification in adult counselling, which means I can offer support across all ages.

My aim is to provide a calm, welcoming space where you or your child can explore emotions, worries and relationships at your own pace.

Therapy with Michele at Castle Counselling Service offers a safe and supportive space to explore whatever is troubling you.

Life can feel heavy at times 鈥� whether it鈥檚 a child struggling with anxiety or school stress, a parent wanting to reconnect with their child, or an adult facing low mood, self-esteem issues or a big life change.

Together, we can gently untangle what鈥檚 happening and find ways forward.

I work in a relaxed, non-judgemental way and will always tailor sessions to what feels right for you.

Sessions are available in-person (easy parking and a private setting) or online if that鈥檚 easier for you.

Taking the first step can be daunting. To make it easier, I offer a free 10-minute phone call so you can ask questions and get a feel for how I work 鈥� with no pressure to commit.

Our first session is a chance to talk about what鈥檚 brought you here, what you鈥檇 like to get from counselling, and to begin creating a space that feels safe and supportive.