Wanda Howell

I currently have limited availability during the hours of 11 am and 5 pm.

As someone who lives with AuDHD, it is important to me to be able to be flexible in the way in which I work; not everyone can work in the same way, especially if you are neurodivergent!

I work Relationally, using an Integrative model, which means that we will work together, using a variety of different techniques, according to what we feel would best suit you. I am guided by your lived experience, how you think and feel and what you would like; our work together is a collaborative effort.

I work in both the long and short term and my office hours are flexible, although evening appointments are in high demand, and I have little space left to take on new clients for evening sessions.

As a counselling psychologist in training who is neurodivergent, it is so important to me to have a toolbox of modalities to work from; each client is unique, and brings with them a different set of needs. This is why I have continued my training and professional development; so that I can utilise different techniques, tools and modalities that are helpful to my clients.

I work relationally and using an eclectic model; what this means is that I use different tools such as person centred talking therapies, gestalt chair work, mindfulness or CBT and DBT techniques, among many. These are all underpinned with an understanding of psychology based in psychodynamic, systems, self and attachment theories that I have studied and felt help us to understand the human experience.

I work with clients on a 1:1 basis to gain an understanding of what is happening for you. We talk about your past and the experiences you have had throughout your life that have brought you to where you are now. We can reframe, understand, question, take apart, put back together, reorganise or plan for the future, depending on what you have come to therapy for, and what we have contracted to work on.

We work together, collaboratively, to support you with what is happening in your life. Sometimes this might just be for a few sessions, sometimes this may be for a few months. Sometimes clients come back just to check in- there is no right or wrong way to 'do' therapy, so I will support you to have a boundaried, non-judgemental experience, that suits your needs.

During your first session I will be asking you for a basic history and why you are coming to therapy. I may give you a couple of assessment forms which let me know how you are feeling at this moment in time. I tend to use the CORE 34.

If you are coming with questions about neurodivergence, then there will be a set of assessment questionnaires I give out. If you are particularly anxious about your first session do let me know; I will try to accommodate your request to make it as easy as possible, as I know how anxiety provoking it can be, meeting a new therapist for the first time!