Cherrelle Florence

I work very flexible hours and have availability both during the day and some evenings.

I am an integrative counsellor who offers individual one to one counselling in a safe, professional and relaxed environment. I believe that the relationship between client and counsellor is the most important variable for effective counselling and I advise anyone seeking counselling to prioritise how they feel in that relationship as a necessity for effective counselling.

Being an integrative counsellor means I work in a variety of ways to help clients find a way to express, process and alleviate  whatever is causing distress for them. At the heart of this process is a respect and appreciation for the courage it takes to enter into counselling.

Sometimes in life we find ourselves no longer experiencing the joy or contentment we once did. We can feel lost and alone and struggling just to manage the basic responsibilities we have to fulfil. Our health and relationships can suffer because we are overwhelmed by  emotions, thoughts or physical symptoms we don't understand. Sometimes we have experienced an event that has changed our life and changed who we believe we are and we  feel  that we will never get back to a more contented time in our life or who we thought we were.

Counselling can provide a space to explore your thoughts, feelings, relationships and experiences with the support of an experienced trained professional in a confidential and safe environment so that we find greater understanding of why we are suffering. This process helps us reflect on ourselves and make choices and changes in our life if that is indeed what we want to do.

For others the process of counselling is about growth and finding deeper meaning in their lives or experiences. The process is very personal and unique to each individual client. I feel  I am simply a facilitator of this process but that it belongs very much to the client and I try to make sure this is reflected in the way I work.

I have worked in both the Voluntary and Private sector as well as in Social work and Mental health. I have been privileged to work with and witness the resilience and strengths that people have within themselves to work through their difficulties in order to improve their quality of life.

I work with a variety of issues including trauma, sexual abuse, bereavement, addiction, anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, eating disorders and many other difficulties people face.

Each persons difficulties are unique to them and I will work with you in the best way I can to help you find a way of understanding, processing, managing and alleviating symptoms.

Counselling can be a frightening prospect sometimes for people but it is a worthwhile process and can be for some very meaningful and cathartic. It can often be the first time people have had the opportunity to process the experiences in their life that has caused them significant pain and distress. While this is not an easy process , for the many people I have met counselling has allowed them to gain understanding of themselves, an increased compassion for themselves and a greater appreciation of their own strengths and abilities. 

I strive to ensure the clients I work with feel supported, safe, respected and encouraged to express themselves openly.

Once clients get in touch I arrange to have a short phone call at a convenient time to discuss how best I can help and to allow clients to ask any questions they may have or we can communicate through email if preferable. After this I advise clients to take time to reflect on the call or email before making an appointment so that they have time to think about whether therapy is right for them at that time.