Olivia Clarke

I understand the importance of sharing and being heard. Prior to being a counsellor I was, for three years, a listener for Samaritans. I have built on and developed these essential listening and communication skills. As integrative counsellor I can use different proven approaches and techniques to uniquely shape our sessions around your individual need.

You have recognised that you need change; you want better and you have taken the first step by looking for a counsellor. That is an important first step, it is an achievement and you can build on it. Please don’t hesitate to reach out.

I am trained and work as an integrative counsellor which means that together we can draw from various evidenced based theories and methodologies to tailor your counselling uniquely to you. 

As well as my private practice, I work at a nearby GP practice, where I support individuals in their emotional and mental well-being. Areas that I have experience of include depression, overwhelm, bereavement, health anxiety, social anxiety, general anxiety, effective strategies for managing anxious thoughts, study and work related stress, low mood, narcissistic abuse, estrangement, understanding and processing the impact of life events, exploring how to draw on strengths and resilience, exploring how to say no (and yes), exploring the importance of self care and ways to do this, coping with living with pain or illness, accepting the ‘now’ or ‘new normal’ and looking to a future, relearning how to trigger the ability to cope, relax and have fun.

I am also trained in online and telephone counselling and I am very comfortable offering counselling this way. Up to date research informs us that in many situations online and telephone counselling is as effective as face to face and in some circumstances it can be better.

I offer a welcoming 15 minute free telephone consultation. It’s an opportunity to discuss briefly what may be going on for you, answer any questions you may have of the therapy process and to arrange a time for your first appointment.

The initial appointment will be an opportunity for both you and me to assess our compatibility and the suitability of the therapy I can offer. You are then able to make an informed choice whether to continue, additionally if I believe a more appropriate service is available, I can signpost and explore options with you. I will ask you what brought you to counselling and what you hope to achieve, what your counselling goal is. I will talk with you about the approaches that could be of benefit to you and together we will start to identify a pathway for our work.