Matthew Brooks

Online Sessions :

Weekdays : ( Fri):  6:30pm-8:30pm

In Person Sessions

Monday        : 7pm - 9pm

Wednesday : 7pm - 9pm

Thursday     :  7pm - 9pm

Saturday      :  1pm - 3pm

I may have additional evening availability outside of these hours please contact me to if i can fit you in at a time that works for you

I am an Integrative - relational counsellor specialising in addiction with an interest in trauma, and run my private practice from locations in Guildford. I offer a trauma informed, supportive, empathetic non-judgemental space for you to explore and work through the thoughts, feelings and behaviours that are affecting you. Drawing upon a range of psychotherapeutic perspectives and techniques I create something that is tailored for you and your needs. Being a relational counsellor means that I have a focus on the ‘therapeutic relationship’ that develops between us and may use aspects of what happens within that relationship to help you explore and understand what is happening for you.

Scott peck opens his book ‘The road less travelled’ with the words “Life is difficult”. Written in the 1970’s these words are no less true today, perhaps even more so. Maybe something has happened recently that is overwhelming you and you are struggling, or it could be that life has been difficult in some ways for a long time. Perhaps you are finding that the coping strategies that you have been using, which may include drugs and alcohol are no longer effective and have become part of the problem. I am here to help you find ways to move forwards, beyond your current struggles and to make the changes that support you in your life.

Before becoming a counsellor, I had a twenty-year career in science and technology, the last decade of which was paralleled with my own personal journey of change and growth. I understand that change and progress can be something that happens quite quickly – sometimes in response to life events – and also something that may develops and evolve slowly over time. This process can be frightening, painful and upsetting, but also cathartic, liberating and inspiring. When working together I will be with you to support you throughout this process.

Through my work within an NHS GP Surgery, and the charitable sector supporting adult carers, I have helped clients with a wide range of issues, including anxiety; bereavement, loss and grief; confidence; insomnia; stress; and relationship difficulties.

My areas of special interest include addiction and trauma and I am currently part of the team delivering the 28 day Addiction Treatment Programme at The Priory Hospital, Woking. I am familiar with the 12-step recovery program and the many fellowships that owe their existence to AA, and can work with the challenges that may emerge during early and long-term sobriety. I have recently completed training with the Laurel Centre to work with Sex Addiction and will shortly commence the second year of training in Somatic Experiencing - a body focussed somatic approach to trauma.   Where and when appropriate I can introduce Somatic Experiencing (SE) techniques to our work that over time can help you to find relief from distressing symptoms of trauma.

Whilst completing my Somatic Experiencing training i am offering SE sessions at a reduced rate of £45 per session

I know how hard it can be to make that first call to ask for help from a therapist you don’t know and remember well my nervousness when doing the same – it was one of the hardest things I’ve done, yet ultimately one of the most rewarding and life affirming.

I offer an initial 15-20 minute free telephone consultation in which we can discuss what brings you to seek help, and what you can expect from me as your counsellor. During this call, we can start to get a feel for how we might work together and whether we are a good fit, before booking an initial counselling session. Please contact me and I will arrange a time to call you back.

In our first session together, we will look in more depth at what has you seeking help at this time, discuss your goals and whether this might be best met through brief, time limited or open-ended, long term work. This may take more than an initial session to clarify, and it is not uncommon to start working on one area of concern and another emerge. Whether we decide on short or long-term counselling, this will be regularly reviewed and is flexible to meet your needs.

At the end of the first session, we will agree on whether / how we will work together and book in your next session. So far as possible, sessions will be at the same time / day of the week and are typically on a weekly or fortnightly basis.