Helen Pons

I have availability Monday-Friday 9-5.30pm with some possibility for evening sessions.

As an integrative counsellor, I integrate a range of evidence based approaches (Person Centred, Gestalt, CBT, Transpersonal Therapy) to provide besoke, personal counselling. 

Life is life, and each of us can struggle with one thing or another, maybe a bereavement, loss of a loved one, find ourselves stressed, anxious, affected by low mood or perhaps losing sight of our own needs affecting our confidence and self esteem.

Counselling really can help!  

We can get locked into unhelpful patterns, thoughts and behaviours, damaging coping mechanisms, perhaps feel lost or unheard or debilitatingly sad, locked in grief not knowing which way to turn.

Specific areas which I have offered support with are listed below but I believe counselling can be immensely helpful whether or not you feel your situation is listed ...   

*bereavement, anxiety, depression, low self esteem

*building family - pregnancy crises, baby loss, pregnancy support

*being family - parenting/family difficulties incl for prospective adopters, adopters, kinship and foster carers 

*parents & carers of children with special educational needs & disabilities

*Military families

My counselling training and employment within Social Care and Education gives me unique insights into the difficulties and joys of parenting and caring.  I am an experienced babyloss, pregnancy crisis counsellor and have supported many people on complex, sad, pregnancy and fertility journeys.  I would be honoured to support you likewise.

I believe each of us to be unique, with the ability to fulfil our potential but that sometimes in life we encounter experiences which make this process more difficult.  You hold the answers to your difficulties - counselling can help you sift through your thoughts and experiences, emotions and feelings, provide a safe space to talk these through and assist you setting goals moving move forward with new perspectives.

My counselling training taught me that each of us are made up of four parts (mind, body, heart, soul) and when these parts are in good connection our overall wellbeing is improved.  My role as a counsellor is to safely facilite your self-reflection, support you in identifying where there is disconnection of these parts and assist you in rebuilding and healing to move forward from where you are.   

Each counselling session is one hour and starts promptly.  Payment is made online prior to the session so the whole session can be focused upon you and what you need.  As the client, your wellbeing is paramount to me and as a Registered Member of the Â鶹ԭ´´, I work to support you by adhering to the Â鶹ԭ´´ Ethical Code of Practice for Counsellors & Psychotherapists. I have regular supervision (which is undertaken confidentially so your name is not shared) and undertake regular continuous professional development deepening my understanding and broadening my skills.  We humans are complex beings - there is always more to learn!

I work in person from a safe and confidential space in my home but I am willing also to work via Zoom online if that is your preference or to blend the two approaches for your comfort and convenience.

I support couples and individuals but I do not provide couples relationship counselling.  I do not work with children, only over 18's.  

The cost of a one hour counselling session is currently £50 but I provide concessions to those on certain benefits, students or counsellors in training.  Please talk to me if you feel this may apply to you.  

I offer a 10% discount for a period of ten sessions booked ahead and some clients find this helpful.  You may choose to have weekly or fortnightly sessions but any longer gap between appointments would tend to negatively impact the value of each session to the client.  If you need to cancel a session, I ask for 24 hours notice wherever possible. I do not currently charge for cancelled sessions but reserve the right to review this policy should there be repeated cancellations without notice as it impacts other clients.

The first session I would offer is a reduced price (£30) initial consultation - a chance for you and I to determine if I am the right counsellor for you.  It is vital you feel comfortable to continue.  If I do not believe I am the right counsellor for you, I may be able to signpost you to an alternative source of support.

Counselling is a commitment of time and energy both for the client and the counsellor but the benefits can be immeasurable. Please feel welcome to email or text me, recognising that due to the nature of counselling my phone is switched off for some of each day, but I will endeavour to get back to you as soon as is possible.

I look forward to hearing from you and welcome your contact.