Dolma Beresford

I am a qualified Psychotherapeutic Counsellor with an MA in Psychosynthesis Psychology. I hold certificates in counselling, psychotherapeutic counselling, Trauma-Informed Stabilisation Treatment (TIST), and Relational Life Therapy (RLT - Couples Therapy).

I work both with adult individuals and couples of all races, cultures, religious backgrounds and sexual orientations (LGBTQ+ friendly) in a safe and confidential space.

I am aware that for many it's a big step to seek the help and support of a therapist. Sometimes when faced with emotional conflicts, such as depression, relationship issues, anxiety or a stressful situation, making any decision can be difficult. Part of my commitment to creating a safe environment is to work with you at a pace that feels manageable and that you are in control of.

My starting point is always to establish a relationship with you which feels safe and supportive. Then together we can start the process of looking at what's important to you.

My interest in therapy was sparked many years ago when I experienced how talking to someone who really listened in a space that felt safe and non-judgemental could actually help me! I noticed how this process helped me to see things in a different way and as a result, I changed the things that were no longer helpful. This inspired me to undertake a therapy training myself as I found therapy invaluable and feel passionate about the benefits of it.

Through counselling and psychotherapy, I seek to value, respect and listen to you in confidence and without judgement.

The key approach that I employ in my therapeutic work is Psychosynthesis, however, as an integrative therapist, I incorporate elements from various modalities that I have found useful including Trauma-Informed Stabilisation Treatment (TIST), Relational Life Therapy (RLT), and Internal Family Systems (IFS). My work is client-centred, trauma-informed, compassion-based and draws on the findings of current neuroscience research.

If you’re searching for a therapist then it’s likely you are experiencing some kind of distress, discomfort or dissatisfaction. This could be for many different reasons, i.e. relationships, family matters, bereavement, loss, ill health, work worries. Equally, you may have no idea of a cause but just a feeling of emptiness or lack of purpose. Therapy is not only helpful for big traumatic life events. It can also help for times when you are at a crossroads or are feeling “stuck”.

Everyone goes through challenging situations, and while you may have successfully navigated other difficult periods in your life, sometimes you need a little extra support. Through therapy, you are given a safe and confidential place to talk over your difficulties with someone who is trained to help you and committed to supporting you.

Please feel free to contact me and we can have an initial conversation about whether therapy may be appropriate for you. This initial conversation can be face to face or via email or telephone. Whatever makes you feel most comfortable and makes that initial step feel less daunting.

Whatever you bring, a gentle exploration of the issues usually reveals a deeper picture that helps you to make sense of what is happening.

I really look forward to hearing from you.

I find the best way to tell whether there is a good match is to meet face to face. I offer an initial consultation of 1 hour.

During the first consultation, you will gain a sense of how we might work together. Once we have introduced ourselves I will offer you the opportunity to tell me something about what's brought you to therapy at this time and what you are hoping for from attending. You will then have the opportunity to find out something about me and the way that I work.

If we decide to work together we will also agree on a regular structured time, which will become your regular weekly hour until our work comes to an end. We also discuss confidentiality. I have a short agreement form which we will fill in if you decide you want to go ahead with sessions. But sometimes a client may want to go away after the first session and think about what they want to do and that's absolutely fine.

As a practitioner, I work face-to-face or online with adult individuals and couples. Each session is sixty minutes long.

To make therapy affordable for everyone, regardless of ability to pay, some income-based concessions are available