Counselling is a bit like opening the messy drawer in your kitchen to search for that thing that you definitely know is in there. You find the charging cable for a phone you've not used for years, a random key that you have no idea what it opens, string, sellotape and maybe a pen if you're lucky! We all do it (well, I know I do!) when someone is coming round and you need to have a quick tidy up and you just chuck it where it cant be seen and think "oh I'll deal with that later". It looks the same as the rest of your kitchen when it's closed, it's only until it gets opened and we cant find something that we realise it's in a bit of a pickle.
Sometimes we can do this with our feelings and emotions. Something happens that bothers us, and rather than address it, we push it down and carry on. We can sometimes be too busy with the pressures of life to even stop and feel something, meaning all of the feelings just get pushed down and down until they become a bit of a problem. Sometimes our minds can become like the messy drawer with lots of different feelings and emotions that nobody knows the purpose of or where they came from, and it can get to a point where we can't find what we are looking for because all the 'shoved away' things are in the way. It may get to a the point where the drawer wont even shut, and it starts to become noticeable on the outside.
As with all 'sort outs', it might be absolute chaos to begin with - a tangled clump of cables, 6 pairs of sunglasses, a screwdriver and a birthday card from your Great Aunt Maud - you might wish you'd never started. However, this is where you begin to see things clearer, handling things right at the back of the drawer that you may have forgotten about or been putting off dealing with. It means being able to make conscious choices about where and how certain things fit rather than automatically shoving them in without thinking about it.
Together we can untangle the clump of cables, see if the pens still work and address that 'thing' stuck at the back of the drawer. We can reframe or let go of the things that don't quite fit, work or serve a purpose anymore, so that the drawer becomes manageable and you can find that important thing every time you look for it.
The important thing, of course, being YOU.
Want to come to session in your comfies? Go for it, no judgement here.
Want to bring a fidget / your knitting / crochet / something to keep your hands or eyes busy while you talk? Feel free! Eye contact is not compulsory, and neither is sitting still, so if you find it easier to move around the room then you can.
You are welcome to bring anything you need to help you feel regulated, including food or drink - I would hate for you to turn up to session hungry and then not get the most from it, it's your time and if you want or need to spend some of it giving your body what it needs then this is absolutely okay.
You are also welcome to attend with your baby if you are breastfeeding or even if it just makes your life easier.
If you can’t make it to session and would rather see me online one week (or more!) then I am happy to accommodate this. If you’d rather get out and walk, or just sit outside, then please do let me know. We can change it up each week if you'd like, to see what feels comfortable.
Anything I can do to help you feel at ease, please let me know and I will do my best to help!
I am neuro-affirming and gender affirming in all parts of my practice.
I offer a free 20ish minute introductory call so that we can talk a little bit about what you or your child is going through and also tell you a bit about me, which will help us to decide if we are a good fit for each other. We will talk a little about about confidentiality and other boundaries as well as availability. There is no obligation to decide during this conversation if you would like to work with me or not - finding the right counsellor is important and I would encourage you to enquire with a few to find the right fit.
This call is not compulsory, so if you'd rather just book in without it, then this is absolutely okay.
I offer face to face, online and walk & talk counselling for adults, and face to face and walk & talk sessions young people (online sessions are not suitable for young people)
I am based in Swavesey, Cambridgeshire and currently have access to rooms in the village and surrounding villages as well as St Ives and Cambridge, so if you would like to see me face to face then please do let me know and we can discuss where works best for both of us. I am aiming to have a more permanent, exclusive and dedicated space in the near future.
I currently work mornings, along with some evenings and weekends.
You can get in touch with me via email - sunscape-counselling@outlook.com or by telephone call / text / whatsapp on 07429 399176.
I aim to respond to all enquiries as quickly as possible, and not longer than 48 hours (please do keep an eye on your junk mail too). If you have called me and left a message then it is likely that I will text you rather than call back so that we can arrange a suitable time to talk.