"The journey of a thousand miles begins beneath one's feet..."
Are you struggling with stress or anxiety?
What do you need to take the first step?
- Someone to listen and understand you without judging?
- Someone to help you find your path and achieve your goals?
- Maybe both?
- Perhaps you're unsure?
- Contact me for a free initial chat to find out how I can help..
Or: select an option above or scroll down to find out more...
Help and support with...
Alcohol issues
Anger
Anxiety
Bereavement
Depression
Drug use
Excessive worry
Life goals
Loss
Motivation
Panic
Phobias
Procrastination
Relationship issues
Self esteem
Stress
Trauma
...and more
"The greatest oak was once a little acorn who held its ground.."
About the Service
I aim to provide you with a confidential and non-judgmental professional relationship and a private space where you can view your life holistically, resolve problems and build increased emotional health and resilience.
Emotional discomfort is usually the first sign that something is amiss. Our emotions are there to tell us when we need to attend to something. But very often we either dismiss them or become overwhelmed by them without managing to resolve the issues that trigger them. We do this by allowing different parts of our brain to dominate at the expense of other more helpful parts. Sometimes this can become habitual, and adversely affect the quality of our life.
We are all born with a set of emotional needs and an innate 'guidance system' to help us meet these needs. I can help you identify and understand these emotional needs and how to use your 'whole mind' to work towards meeting them in balance.
Whether you know what your 'problem' is, you can't put your finger on it, past difficulties are impacting on your present life, or something is stopping you setting and/or achieving your goals in life, I will work in partnership with you to help you understand your feelings, and determine a way forward.
You will have the opportunity to talk things through, to be listened to, but also to use appropriate tools and techniques, and be given essential up-to-date information about how the mind works. This can often lead to positive changes in mood, behaviour and relationships, without the need for medical intervention.
You'll be offered an initial session (1 - 1.5 hours) when we will identify which areas of life you may be experiencing difficulties with and agree what would best meet your needs: counselling, coaching, or a mixture of both. You may want to say a lot; you may not feel like talking much - either is fine as we can use tools to capture information which will help us work together.
If you decide to continue to work with me, we will agree a number of sessions (50mins-1 hour) and regularly review how things are going for you. I will make sure that the work we are doing is always absolutely relevant to your unique requirements, and that as few sessions as possible are undertaken to help you achieve your aims.
My practice is in Meltham near Huddersfield, within easy reach of Huddersfield, Holmfirth, the Holme Valley, Colne Valley and South Kirklees - please call on the above number for an initial chat, to ask any questions you may have, or to book an appointment; alternatively you can email me at the address above, or message me on facebook. If I am not available please leave a message and I will get back to you as soon as possible, or the next working day if your message is left after 5pm or at a weekend.
Fee: £50 per session, payable by cash, cheque or bank transfer.
"The world you see is created by what you focus on. It's never too late to adjust your lens.."
Counselling
Counselling is a "talking therapy" which starts from the point that something is not going well in life, and provides a confidential, impartial, non-judgmental, therapeutic relationship whereby you can talk through and explore your difficulties in a safe space.
Friends, colleagues and family may mean well, but they often have their own opinions and judgments about you and your situation, and well-meant advice can often have a very negative effect. It may even be that you feel there is literally no-one to talk to.
You may wish to understand your own feelings, thoughts and/or behaviour, or be finding it difficult to decide whether, what or how to change.
Counselling can help with anxiety, depression, stress, self esteem issues, bereavement, anger, emotional distress, trauma, or any difficulty which is stopping you living your life as you want to.
Once you feel you have made sufficient progress here, or if you feel mentally well already, you may wish to consider coaching.
"Don't limit your challenges - challenge your limits..."
Life Coaching
Life Coaching is also a talking therapy: the emphasis is on empowering you to solve problems and achieve your ambitions.
We will use the coaching wheel of life and 'SMART goals' to help you identify problem areas, decide where you would like to go/what you would like to do, set some goals for yourself, explore what might be holding you back, and make realistic plans for action. We will use techniques to relax, visualise and rehearse success.
You'll be helped to identify and build on your strengths, recognise and develop your potential, motivate yourself and hold yourself accountable, within a safe, non-judgmental, encouraging therapeutic relationship.
If there are areas of your life which are causing you emotional difficulties, you may wish to consider counselling first.
About Debbie
I am a fully insured, DBS checked counsellor/therapeutic coach, and I undertake regular supervision in line with the BACP's* Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions.
I have worked with a wide variety of people with a wide variety of issues including anxiety, stress, depression, trauma, bereavement, addiction, abuse and many more for over 20 years.
I have always had an interest in mental health, and how our life experiences can result in emotional difficulties and/or patterns of behaviour and relationships which prevent us living fulfilled, content lives. I believe that our mental health is just as important as our physical health - indeed both are inextricably connected. Too often a 'diagnosis' is made and medication is prescribed as a first (or only) resort, when the opportunity to talk things through, as the unique human being you are, with an unbiased, empathic professional who can use appropriate tools and techniques, can often lead to positive changes in our moods and behaviour, without the need for medical intervention.
I have lived and worked in West Yorkshire for nearly 40 years. I now live near Huddersfield with my husband and cat, and I have two grown up children.
In my spare time I enjoy climbing (mainly indoors), walking (mainly outdoors!), reading fiction and watching films, and catching up with my busy family.
You will find me warm and approachable, with a genuine desire to help you feel and/or do better.
Professional Qualifications/Training and Memberships:
OCR Advanced Diploma in Counselling and Groupwork
NCFE Diploma in Fusion Therapeutic Coaching
Accredited, Registered Member of BACP (*British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy)
Associate Member of AITCP (Association of Integrative Coach Therapist Professionals)
TM