Amanda Burridge

My working days are Monday to Friday.

I offer early appointments from 6.00 am and evening appointments until 10.00 pm.

Appointments can be booked weekly or fortnightly.

NEURODIVERGENT and LGBTQIA+ CLIENTS WELCOME

BEREAVEMENT / ANTICIPATORY GRIEF / COMPLICATED GRIEF -  I have experienced bereavements without any support; I want to help you with your loss, to walk alongside you.

Before qualifying as a counsellor, I was volunteering for Cruse Bereavement.  This is where I learned how my support as a human being was the most important factor when speaking with people about their loss.  

LOSS, ILLNESS CANCER AND THERAPY - I am with you as you navigate the meaning of your diagnosis and illness.  I worked for the NHS in a cancer department.  Speaking to each cancer patient, each have their own version of the impact it has on them - the shock, the grief and how if affects their loved ones.  I've learned not to make any assumptions about people in light of their illness. The safest and most respectable thing I could do for you is tend to you as a fellow human.

MENTAL WELL-BEING AND MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT - You may not have experienced bereavement or illness but you might be looking for the right counsellor who can help you with your mental well-being or mental health.  I am fully qualified to do this.

OUTDOOR AND NATURE THERAPY - Did you know you don't have to be in the same room looking at each other one to one?  We can meet outdoors at a mutual venue, a place to encourage us being fully immersed in and around nature - it offers a nature connection and may enhance the therapeutic experience for you.  This is possible in most weather conditions.

HOME VISITS - If travel or access is an issue, due to illness or disability, it is not a block to therapy in your own home.

Qualifications -

BA (Hons) Therapeutic Counselling and Psychotherapy 2022.

Diploma Level 4 & 5 in Therapeutic Counselling 2019.

Counselling Skills Level 3 2017.

I’m calm, easy to talk to and a good listener.  A fully trained counsellor but more importantly, a human being.  Together we will build a healing and supportive therapeutic relationship.  In bereavement, illness or for your own mental health concerns, my gentle, curious, caring approach, sometimes with humour too, will help you notice your capacity for change and a feeling of positive support from entering into the therapeutic connection as humans, not just as a client.

There is a free 15 minute conversation to follow up your enquiry. In order to further find out if I am the right person for you and feel what our connection is like together, I respectfully suggest one therapeutic hour together.

Therapy research highlights the importance of the joint relationship in therapy, it's a key factor to the success of therapy.  When humans connect it is magical.

We will work together with your best interests as a priority and the potential for you to feel better.  I will regularly check in with you that the work is helping.

I can work short-term or long-term.  This is spoken about when you come for therapy.  You may have a goal for therapy or you may wish to just feel better, learn coping techniques or learn to live again after a loss.

My training was integrative which means I am core person-centred but have studied other therapeutic theories.  My Degree was with a CBT base, as used by the NHS.  My degree also recognised the pluralistic approach which in its basic terms means asking you what you want and how you would like to work.  I will endeavour to find ways to meet your needs.  Together we will explore your goal and focus for therapy.

FREE 15 MINUTE CALL ON ENQUIRY - 

During our call, we will discuss your needs, explore what help you are looking for and why you have taken the courageous steps towards therapy.  

FIRST SESSION - 

I will formally offer you an agreement for the work of therapy, which supports you in formalising the relationship.  We'll safely explore how you wish to work; are you happy talking or would you like to use visual prompts such as pebbles or drawing?  

Would you rather be in nature and able to breathe in fresh air and move rather than sit still?

We may or may not set a goal for your therapy.  

We will talk about how many sessions you may need.