ABOUT ME...

Hi, I’m Samantha. Life doesn’t always go the way we expect, and sometimes it can feel as though the ground has shifted beneath our feet. In those moments, it’s common to feel lost, stuck, or uncertain about how to move forward. My role as a counsellor is to walk alongside you, offering a steady and compassionate space where you can pause, reflect, and gently find your way through.

WHY WORK WITH ME?

Alongside my professional training, my own life experiences have shaped the counsellor I am today. I have personally navigated loss and unexpected life changes, and I know how disorienting it can feel when life no longer looks the way you imagined. I also know the courage it takes to reach out for help, because I have been in that same position – sitting in the chair opposite a counsellor.

These experiences give me a deep empathy for the challenges my clients face. I believe wholeheartedly that with the right support, it is possible to feel clearer, stronger, and more like yourself again.

In my counselling career, I have had the privilege of working with adults and young people across a variety of settings – schools, a local charity, Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs), and my own private practice. These roles have given me experience supporting people with a wide range of challenges, from personal loss and life transitions to workplace stress and identity struggles.

Before training as a counsellor, I worked in financial services. That experience means I understand first-hand the demands and pressures of high-paced, high-stakes environments, and the toll they can take on wellbeing, self-worth, and relationships.

At the heart of my approach is the belief that you are the expert in your own life. My role is not to give you quick fixes or advice, but to offer a safe and supportive space where you can explore, reflect, and reconnect with yourself at your own pace. Clients often describe my approach as calm, compassionate, and collaborative.

THE HUMAN BEHIND THE COUNSELLOR

Counselling is always about you - your story, your needs, your journey. But I also know that choosing a counsellor can feel like a leap of trust. For many people, it helps to have a sense of the person behind the professional, to know they’re not just a name and a headshot on a website but another human being.

So, here’s a little about me:

Clara, my dog. She’s a much-loved companion and often sneaks into my social media posts (usually getting more likes than I do!). She won’t join us in sessions, but if you’re curious about who I am both as a practitioner and as a person, you might enjoy my posts (links above) - and of course, the occasional cute Clara photo.

My love of reading. Stories fascinate me. I love the way words can spark emotions and how each reader brings their own meaning to a book, sometimes taking something away that the author never intended. Stories evolve as we engage with them, and I think that’s true in counselling too. We each carry our own story - and it’s a privilege to hear and hold the ones my clients share.

My connection to water. Whether I’m walking on the beach with Clara, cooling off in a paddling pool, or soaking in a warm bath, I find water deeply calming and restorative. It’s a theme that threads through my life and helps me recharge.

The different sides of me. I’m often described as calm, caring, and sensitive, with a soothing voice. That’s true, and those qualities are part of what I bring into the counselling room. But I also value playfulness and laughter - because even in the midst of difficulty, lighter moments can help us breathe and reconnect with hope. Counselling holds space for both the heavy and the light.

TRAINING & QUALIFICATIONS

I am a fully-qualified integrative counsellor and Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), and I adhere to the BACP's Ethical Framework for The Counselling Professions, ensuring that I maintain professional and ethical standards in my practice.

My training and qualifications include:

Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (CPCAB)
Certificate in Online and Telephone Counselling (ACTO recognised)
Certificate in Bereavement Counselling
Certificate in Counselling Studies
Certificate in Counselling Skills
Safeguarding training