Danielle Mapes

Hi, my name is Danielle. I am an integrative counsellor. This means that I can draw on a selection of theoretical approaches, and techniques, that can support your individual needs. No one size fits all within the counselling relationship, we all have individual needs and ways of relating. It is important therefore to find a therapist that is a good fit for you at this time, that can offer the approach  that meets you where you are at right now. Just like different medication or diets will be more suited and work better for one individual than another , choosing the right therapist is just as important. My core approach is person centred which means that I truly  value you as the client and believe you hold the answers. I see my role as helping to empower you, coming along side you and to offer a collaborative relationship, where we work together to accomplish your goals. I believe that a solid and trusting therapeutic relationship can be the vehicle for change. When we feel truly 'gotten' and understood by another we can start to deepen our relationship within ourselves. Therapy  is a journey to self discovery and we may become more accepting of the parts of ourself we may have rejected. I aim to support you to find your own answers and use my knowledge and experience to guide that. To open the opportunity for self growth and new or clearer perspective. We can build a toolbox that you can take beyond therapy to prepare you for your onwards journey. I will offer you a safe, compassionate  and non judgemental space, where you can explore what it is that might be causing you difficulties. As we go through life we can be faced with many different challenges. Sometimes we experience symptoms that feel beyond our capability to manage by ourselves. Sometimes we can feel out of control, other times we can just feel lost and not sure which way is up. Life puts hurdles in our path, and at times we all need support to get through these times when they feel to big to do alone.  

We all need a bit of holding and guidance from time to time, this is human nature, part of life, after all we are wired for attachment. Not one of us are immune to the struggles that ill  mental health can have on us,  or some of the negative ways that life experiences can impact us. Therapy can offer that space to be you, to feel held and validated  enough to work through your current struggles. I am very passionate about working with the impacts of trauma and have extensive experience and training within this field. I have worked alongside four charity's, that offer counselling and crisis support, and have been in mental health field for most of my working career. I also have many years experience in working with the impacts of Sexual violence/Domestic abuse, and have specialised in this area. I am always eager to learn more and update my knowledge so that I can support my abilities to work with what my clients bring. I also learn every single day from my clients.  I have now completed level 1 and 2 in  sensorimotor psychotherapy. This means that I can work in an informed way bringing the body into the work,  which can help support integration from the bottom (body) up,  in addition to working top down (Cognitively).  Its a somatic way of working and allows a deeper connection and mindfulness to our bodies, then  we can begin to realise the wisdom that they hold. Somatic approaches can be helpful when words sometimes don't feel enough and to deepen a connection with ourselves, to understand the role of our nervous systems and to feel more equipped with trauma responses or reactions. This approach compliments my person centred way of being with my clients. I am also fond of the use of parts work where appropriate. I use psychoeducation to help my clients understand their presenting symptoms then work with you to help reduce those impacts. There is light in darker places, please contact me via e-mail preferably to begin with and I will aim to get back to you within 48 hours.

In the first session I will carry out an assessment this is so that I can get a clearer picture of some of your history and relationships, you current situation and day to day functioning/struggles and why you have come to therapy at this point. We will then think about what you would like to get from the work and agree on your goals for therapy. In this time we both have the opportunity to get to know each other. You have the opportunity to ask questions  about the way I practice. Its a chance for you to decide if I am the right therapist for you,  and for me to decide, if I have the appropriate experience to work with you and your needs at present. If we decide that another therapist with alternative skill and experience may be better suited to you,  I am more than happy to support you in this and recommend some alternatives. I do recognise how hard this can be for people to make the decision to reach out for support but then to decide with who can feel like a hurdle in itself. I am to support that process as much as I can.

 I also offer a 15 minute telephone or zoom call in the initial stages before an assessment which is free of charge.  So that we can have a brief chat about what your needs are and if I might be a good fit before we agree to book in for an assessment.

Sometimes it can be helpful to choose a few different therapists that you feel drawn to  from their profiles, then  to have the initial chat with all of them. That way you can get an immediate sense of how they work and just hearing someone's voice can help with a sense of  connection and calming any anxieties that might be around. This can help with the decision making process.

If you feel after reading my profile that you would like to have an initial consultation please e-mail me first and I will aim to respond withing 48 hours. I look forward to hearing from you.