Abi Spence

I have availability from 16th September at Millers Yard.

There are many reasons why you might decide to begin therapy; stuck-ness, fear, anxiety, frustration, burnout, self-loathing, depression, toxic cycles of behaviour, difficult childhood memories, relationship difficulties, minority stress and many more feelings which create crisis or dis-ease.

We are living in a time of great uncertainty, change and personal responsibility, and sometimes this too can feel overwhelming. Perhaps this is also affecting you.

I work with adults on a one-to-one basis to assist you to process, respond to or engage with whatever might be preventing you from living your life to its fullest and happiest.

My training and way of working is integrative. I trained at the Minster Centre. The Minster is UKCP and BACP registered, and is one of Europe's leading integrative training institutions. 

The way I work with each client is unique. I draw on various modalities, but in the main I am led by you.  Instead of offering diagnosis or advice, I can provide a safe, non- judgemental and confidential space separate from your family and social group, in which to explore whatever you wish to bring. For 50 minutes, one day a week, you can be present and alive to your thoughts, feelings and sensations in a way that life may prevent you from being.

As well as an MA in integrative psychotherapy, I am also currently working toward BICA (British Infertility Counselling Association) accreditation. My areas of specialism include siblings, ex-boarders and boarding school survivors (burnout, imposter syndrome and relationship issues can often be symptomatic of being an ex-boarder), Gender, Sex and Relationship diversity (GSRD issues) minority stress, and issues arising from fertility challenges (fertility treatment, involuntary childlessness, miscarriage and PPD).

The most important aspect which ensures we will work together effectively is our relationship, and whether you feel I am someone you can visualise yourself meeting with once a week.

Its difficult to assess this from these brief words and a photo, so I offer an assessment session, which I explain below.

Initial contact

If you think I might be the right therapist for you, please contact me via any means that feels comfortable: phone, email, voicenote or text are all fine. Our first contact will be a brief phone chat or email/text exchange to set up an initial meeting.

The next step is for us to have an initial 25 minute session. There is no fee for this and it can be online, in-person or on the phone. During this, we will discuss what has brought you to this point and I will answer any questions you may have regarding beginning therapy; expectations, concerns and how we might proceed. There is no obligation to make any commitment beyond this session.

First meeting

If you would like to continue with therapy, we will pick a time each week to begin our meetings. My consultation room is light, airy and private, and is also from where my online sessions take place.

My consultation room is on the first floor in a block of therapy rooms at Miller's Yard, a community of practitioners and teachers just off Gillygate in York.

York station is a 10 minute walk. Union Terrace, Monks Bar and Bootham Row are all nearby car parks.

My online and in-person fee is £65.00. 

I offer short term (6-12 sessions) longer term (6 months to a year) or long term (over one year) work.